Atlantic Division Power Rankings Week 4: Sabres in redemption mode?
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres are finally looking stronger, having won five of their last eight. But the rest of the Atlantic isn’t budging just yet.
The Buffalo Sabres look like they have busted out of their early-season slump, even winning a game 5-2 earlier this week despite abysmal offensive play. Sure, that one took some luck, but it was still a 5-2 result in the win column.
They also shut out one of the best the NHL had to offer on Sunday, giving them a record of 2-0-0 for the week IF you consider it to start on Sundays. Either way, the Blue and Gold enjoyed its first two-game winning streak of the season, so did it bump them up in the Atlantic Division Power Rankings?
One major plus is the wins and ensuing goal-scoring frenzy, plus some sound defense. The downside? Through at least nine games of the year, the Atlantic Division remains one of the toughest in the NHL, so the Sabres may not have risen as highly as you may want them to.
Are the Sabres on the rise in the Week 4 power rankings?
8 – Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators can score, no doubt, but sometimes, scoring goals alone doesn’t guarantee you success in the NHL. And trust the Buffalo Sabres fanbase when they tell you that even the best scoring units in hockey won’t even guarantee that.
7 – Tampa Bay Lightning
Give the Tampa Bay Lightning credit for hanging on in the wake of their starting goaltender missing time. At 4-3-3, their record isn’t bad, but with a surging Sabres, Red Wings, and for now, Canadiens teams, Tampa will have a tough time keeping pace if they continue at their current level.
6 – Buffalo Sabres
While the Buffalo Sabres are seventh in the standings, their recent play is what has kept them out of seventh place. But, until Detroit or Montreal slow down, along with the “Big Three” in the Atlantic, it’s tough to put them any higher. For now, and perhaps the foreseeable future, they are stuck in sixth.