Can the Buffalo Sabres finish this October better than they did last year?
The Sabres took down the defending Stanley Cup champions but need to keeping play at a high level to win more games.
As the leaves change color in Western New York, Sabres’ fans are enjoying the franchise’s surprising victory over the Florida Panthers on Oct. 12. After watching the Sabres lose their first two games in Prague against Lindy Ruff’s old team, the New Jersey Devils, the Blue and Gold went down to defeat versus the L.A. Kings, making Buffalo’s win against the Florida Panthers all the sweeter. However, many supporters aren’t totally convinced the Sabres can keep this up.
Looking at Buffalo’s past record in October 2023, the Sabres lost their initial two matchups and then beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in OT during their third contest. During the rest of that month, the Sabres lost three out of their next six games, finishing that October with four wins and five losses. It’s understandable that fans and sports pundits would be skeptical about Buffalo’s prospects for the beginning of 2024-25.
After all, we’ve seen this show before. Despite the pessimism born out of past experiences, let’s look at some of the bright spots, that, if they continue, could write a different ending to this October.
Tage Thompson scoring more and getting creative
Last year, Sabres’ center Tage Thompson suffered a regression from the previous season, with a 29-27-56 record versus 47-47-94 the year before. During his first four matchups this season, he scored two goals, averaging one every two games. If No. 72 can keep that average production level going, he’ll net 40 or more by April. He’s also getting more creative with his goal scoring techniques, such as using the poke-in instead of always just shooting a slap shot or wrist shot from his right at the net.
During Buffalo’s second loss against the Devils, Thompson poked the puck in past New Jersey goalie Jake Allen to get the Sabres’ lone goal of the game.
Even when he’s reverted to his instinct of shooting a wrister from 20 feet away, TNT beat Panthers’ netminder Spencer Knight from his left instead of his usual right, in the Sabres’ victory against Florida.
Tuch closing out games
Sabres’ forward Alex Tuch is good at closing out games and preventing opponents from mounting a comeback. Fans remember soon after he was traded to Buffalo along with Peyton Krebs for Jack Eichel, Tuch took the puck away from Eichel and shot it in the Knights’ net to win it for the Sabres.
It’s a skill he continues to display. Most recently, No. 89 scored an empty netter when Buffalo was leading the Florida Panthers 4-2 to put the contest out of reach. Tuch is good at shutting down other teams in the third period and if he keeps it up, he’ll help the Sabres rack up more wins and points in the standings.
Levi performing well in front of the net
Backup Sabres’ goalie Devon Levi, who had a shaky start to last season and spent much of the year in Rochester, enjoyed a great game against the Florida Panthers, blocking 25 of 27 shots and putting up an impressive .919 SV% as part of Buffalo’s 5-2 victory. Even in the second loss to the Devils, Levi kept the visitors from scoring most of the matchup, thwarting multiple scoring chances until the third period, when his heroics and lack of support from the Sabres’ defense finally gave way.
Though it’s only been two games, Levi’s save percentage is higher than it was in his two previous seasons. Although starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be in net most matchups in 2024-25, No. 27 has proven he can be a reliable backup goaltender and his skills and experience are much improved from only one year ago. It’s possible the Sabres have solved their goaltending problem, an Achilles’ heel that’s long frustrated their playoff chances. Thanks in part to Levi, this year might be different.
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