Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction 62

Sep 28, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) leads a break-out up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) leads a break-out up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres are now under two weeks away from their season-opener vs. the New York Rangers – 13 more days, to be exact.

Depending on your personal preferences, 13 can either be a lucky or an unlucky number. For some of us (like myself) 13 has brought luck, but others try to avoid the number 13 at all costs. But for the Buffalo Sabres, the 2023-24 season happens to be the 13th year since this team last made the playoffs. And while I won’t get so bold as to predict a playoff appearance in this article, I do want to make one surrounding the number.

This year, the Sabres play on the 13th in December, January, February, and April, against the Colorado Avalanche (December), Vancouver Canucks (January), Los Angeles Kings (February), and Florida Panthers (April). And they will take all four of those contests, at least as far as this BOLD PREDICTIONS SERIES goes. In other words, I’m projecting the number 13 to be a good omen for the Blue and Gold all season.

Buffalo Sabres win on the 13th of each month on the 13th year of the playoff drought

My month-by-month predictions may say differently, but as I have said throughout this 75 In 75 Series, the bold predictions push the limits of reality, and that’s what we’re doing here. However, when you look at the teams listed above, the Sabres have their work cut out for them.

The Avalanche are one of the best if not the best team in hockey, The Canucks game is by far the most winnable of the group, but the Kings are considered a top 10 unit. The Panthers won’t rank too highly in any power ranking just yet thanks to injuries, but once April rolls around and the playoff race reaches its potential climax, you can expect Florida will force their way into the top 10.

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The Buffalo Sabres are, in the power rankings linked above paragraph, clocking in at a respectable 17th, behind three of the four teams listed. But it doesn’t matter – the Blue and Gold beat them all at least once last season, including a 6-0 goal-fest vs. the Kings. This team looks better in many facets this year, and they will once again at least split with most if not all the league.