Atlantic Division Power Rankings: Buffalo Sabres tank after Week 8

RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 02: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on during the first period of the game against theCarolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on December 02, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 02: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on during the first period of the game against theCarolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on December 02, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)
3 of 3
Buffalo Sabres
Nov 14, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (18) tries to get the puck past Buffalo Sabres center Tyson Jost (17) in the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

1 – Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins had one rough stretch, but in Week 8 they predictably got back on track. Until they suffer through multiple losing streaks and one of the top teams in the Atlantic Division gets close to overtaking them, there is no way they will drop in these power rankings.

Overall, the Buffalo Sabres have more than some ground to make up, so perhaps Week 9 will be a different tale. But their overall lack of consistency through the first quarter of the season is setting the stage for yet another long and disappointing year.

Throughout the Sabres NHL-record playoff drought, 2023-24 may be the most disheartening, as it was the season this team was supposed to break through to the playoffs. Not that they can’t turn this around, but as it stands, they look like one of the worst units in the league.

(Information provided by ESPN.com)