As another season is about to end, the Buffalo Sabres will have to wait to make the playoffs. With the regular season ending this upcoming week, here are five wishes that I hope to see before the 2024/2025 season ends next Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
1. Tage gets 50 goals
My first wish, Tage Thompson reaches the 50 goal mark. With four games left, Tage is currently at 44 goals. Thompson has never scored 50 goals as his career high is 47 when he scored that many goals in 2022/2023. It might be a tough ask with how many games are left but with how good of a player Tage is, anything is possible.
2. Tuch scores 40
For the second wish, it would be awesome to see Alex Tuch score 40 goals. Tuch has yet to reach the 40 goal plateau as just like Tage, 2022/2023 was the season where he scored the most goals in his career (37). Alex currently has 34 so it might be a bit of a stretch but again, you never know.
3. Power play finishes strong
All season long, the Sabres power play has not been good. Currently sitting at 25th best in the NHL, it has been a point of weakness. It makes no sense too because despite all the talent they have on both units, it was a liability all season long. It doesn't do them good now since they're eliminated from playoff contention, but it would be nice to see them produce well in the four games of the season.
4. Luukkonen with one last solid start
It's been a down year for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. After signing a contract extension in the offseason because of his play last year, Luukkonen has taken a step back this season. I am not blaming UPL for the Sabres struggles but he has not looked like the same goalie all of us saw last year. Again, he hasn't gotten much help but he's looked off recently.
With James Reimer leading the charge lately, it would be nice to see UPL get at least one more game where he plays well. Luukkonen is 24-23-4 with a SV% of .855 and a 3.23 GAA.
5. Finish with a winning record
My final wish, Buffalo finishes the season with a winning record. Again, it's meaningless but it's always nice finishing the season over .500. Right now, Buffalo is 35-37-6. The Sabres will have their hands full as they take on the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning on the road this weekend before coming home to host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday and the Flyers to end the season on Thursday.
In what was another tough season resulting in no playoffs, hopefully the team can finish the year strong and build some momentum for next year.