Heading into Tuesday night’s slate of games, the Ottawa Senators have given up just 33 goals, which ranks seventh in the league. They’ve also scored 42 times, good enough for eighth place. We all know the Buffalo Sabres have struggled like none other (again) this season, so will tonight’s matchup be more of the same?
On paper, it looks to be the case, as the Blue and Gold have already shown us the disaster that is, even if we’re just barely a month into the season. There are too many reasons to list as to what’s contributing to the team’s struggles, but we can start with the fact a few would-be key players have yet to find their rhythm from last season, leaving the team with fewer playmakers than expected.
Despite the bleak outlook, I crave games like the one we’re about to witness tonight vs. a Senators team that looks like they’re light years ahead than they were last season. Unlike the Sabres, their forwards seem to be in sync, and their goaltending has been nothing short of impeccable, thanks in part to a solid defensive effort.
Tonight’s matchup vs. Sens is one the Buffalo Sabres cannot squander
Over the summer, I had a hunch that the Senators could have been just a goaltender away from becoming serious contenders, which would inconvenience the Sabres. So far, that prediction has come true, even if the team, at the moment, looks to be nothing more than future wild card contenders unless we see a drop-off from the Atlantic Division’s usual top-four.
But that gives the Sabres all the more opportunity to at least put up an obstacle, and that can start tonight if they upset their heated division rival. In roughly mid-October, the Blue and Gold looked as though they were returning to their 2022-23 ways, even if they’ve cooled down significantly in recent weeks.
That said, this team has also shown they can revert right back into becoming that high-octane unit any time they choose. Tonight would be a great time to do so. With it being still so early in the 2024-25 season, a win over a better-than-many-expected Senators team could provide a major boost, much like what happened when the Sabres upended the Florida Panthers during the two squads’ first showdown of the season.
Right now, I’m not feeling confident that the Sabres will upset anyone tonight, but maybe they’ll find that high-octane play again, shock the Sens, and, finally, start winning hockey games consistently.