Atlantic Division Power Rankings Week 7: Did the Buffalo Sabres rise?

The Buffalo Sabres entered their final game of the week with a 1-0-1 record, only to let the New Jersey Devils score seven goals on them.

The Buffalo Sabres could have risen a little more in these power rankings, but a blowout loss to the New Jersey Devils stopped this team from accumulating at least a point in four straight contests. Therefore, the ultra-young Sabres will limp their way to New York City, where things get no easier when they face the Rangers on Monday night.

But before we talk about what Week 8 may bring to the Blue and Gold, let’s review Week 7 with a look at the Atlantic Division power rankings. Where do the Sabres stand among their peers as the early stages of the playoff race heat up?

Did the Buffalo Sabres rise despite blowout loss?

8 – Montreal Canadiens

No one saw the Montreal Canadiens and the Sabres sporting the same records at the end of Week 7, but here we are. However, Montreal bested a pair of easier competition this week, before suffering a shutout loss.

7 – Buffalo Sabres

If it wasn’t for the heartbreaker in Washington, the Blue and Gold would have finished the week 2-1. But their inconsistencies are becoming apparent on so many levels and until it changes, they will be stuck near the basement.

6 – Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators may be eighth in the division, but that doesn’t mean they were the worst team in the Atlantic over the last couple of weeks. It’s also worth noting that they have only played 16 games, so they are operating on a point-per-game basis.

5 – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs won five of their last six before they dropped two games in a row. They would remain in fourth place at the moment, but one of those losses came to the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.

4 – Detroit Red Wings

Does this finally mean the Yzer-plan is working better than what Kevyn Adams is trying to do in Buffalo? Absolutely not – the Red Wings could win a Cup this year and I still wouldn’t be convinced. Talk to me about it in 2030 and you’ll have an answer.

3 – Florida Panthers

It was a close one between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. But at the end of the week, the Lightning prevailed with the return of their star goaltender and the fact they held the fort down better than most would have thought.

2 – Tampa Bay Lightning

Now that Andrei Vasilevskiy is back, who knows what the Tampa Bay Lightning can do moving forward? With the No. 1 group in these rankings losing steam, the opportunities have no limits.

1 – Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins hit a speed bump and lost two in a row, but let’s not assume they’re falling just yet. They are still the Eastern Conference’s best team, right up there with the New York Rangers, and until they sputter more often, they will remain at No. 1.

Overall, the Buffalo Sabres moved up one spot, but in the grand scope of things, it came down to strength of schedule. Buffalo faced and got at least a point against a pair of more talented teams this week, so they got the nod over Montreal, but it was a slim margin, unfortunately.

(Standings provided by ESPN.com)