It seems like the Buffalo Sabres (and Buffalo Sports) have been given a raw deal over the past 48 hours. But let’s not panic just yet.
Wow, what a rough two days it’s been not just for the Buffalo Sabres, but Buffalo sports. First, we saw the Bills lose a close one to the Denver Broncos that resulted in Ken Dorsey’s ultimate firing. Then, we were treated to the Sabres losing big to the Boston Bruins.
The atmosphere was so negative these last two days, I decided to embark on the positive route in last night’s reaction post. And that’s the direction I’m heading in this morning with three reasons it’s not time to think the worst for the Sabres.
3 reasons why we can’t panic about the Buffalo Sabres just yet
1 – The Sabres have compensated for Tage Thompson in the past
When the Sabres embarked on their first playoff race in ages, Tage Thompson wasn’t there for the entire show. But the Blue and Gold compensated anyway with Casey Mittelstadt putting up some sound outings, and the same could be done this year.
In a piece I wrote yesterday when contemplating what the lineup could look like if the Sabres signed Patrick Kane, it made sense to keep Mittelstadt with Jordan Greenway and JJ Peterka. Clearly, some changes may need to be made given the current circumstances regarding Tage – with the most prominent being potentially moving Mittelstadt to center on the first line.
2 – A losing record in November didn’t doom the Sabres last year
The Sabres didn’t just hit turbulence this time last November; they weren’t even able to get off the ground until well into the third week of the month. They started November 2022 with a 1-8-0 record, and just about everyone thought they were on their way to yet another losing record.
While Buffalo ultimately didn’t break through to the playoffs, they climbed a rung on the ladder by at least finishing with more wins than losses. Therefore, 7-8-1 is nothing they can’t bounce back from even with the injuries, and it could start later this week with a pair of more manageable opponents.
3 – The Sabres are not alone
One of the more interesting X posts came from Mike Harrington, who gave us some reassuring information. Sure, the Sabres are struggling, but they are not alone in this fight:
Funny thing about tonight is Montreal, Tampa and New Jersey all lost in regulation as well. #Sabres remain one point out of a wild card.
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) November 15, 2023
That said, the Blue and Gold are still in the thick of things early because they haven’t been the only team struggling. And we also need to remember it’s still only November. If there is ever a time to get the bad games, growing pains, and injuries out of the way, it’s now – ditto for everyone else in this mess.
Things will start to heat up in January, and that’s when the Buffalo Sabres need to be at their A-Game. And better yet, Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn should both be back by then, and it could set the stage for the Blue and Gold to start making their respective moves.