Atlantic Division Power Rankings: Where the Buffalo Sabres stand heading into Week 12 of 2023-24
The Buffalo Sabres could finally be turning the corner, but does that mean they rank highly in the Atlantic Division Power Rankings?
The Buffalo Sabres still haven’t found their consistency in terms of winning games, though over the past two contests, they have earned three points and scored 12 goals, so that’s a start. And better yet, such a performance is reflected in the power rankings below, even if the Blue and Gold are still closer to the bottom rung than to the top.
Much more consistency could change that in time, so if the Sabres string together a few back-to-back wins early in the unofficial second half of their season, then maybe a top-four spot is realistic in the future. But until then, Buffalo will continue to reside in the group still struggling to gain traction.
We don’t need to name the teams that are in that group, as it’s common knowledge across the NHL. So where did the Sabres ultimately end up heading into Week 12 of the 2023-24 season?
Buffalo Sabres rise slightly in the Week 12 Atlantic Power Rankings
8 - Ottawa Senators
While the rest of the Atlantic still have quite a few more games in hand than the Ottawa Senators, the Sens are still lacking in overall points percentage. Until they get back on track, they will likely stick around the No. 8 spot in the division.
7 - Detroit Red Wings
It seems like ever since the Detroit Red Wings signed Patrick Kane, they haven’t been the same team. Kane has played surprisingly well considering the known history regarding hip resurfacing, but the Red Wings are just 2-7-1 in their last 10 games.
6 - Buffalo Sabres
The previous two games have indicated what the real Buffalo Sabres look like and since returning to their previous style, they are 1-0-1. If this trend continues, the Blue and Gold, at the absolute least, will be one entertaining hockey team.
5 - Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens continue to overachieve this season, and there comes a point when you say, “This team isn’t regressing anytime soon.” It’s always fun to see a group expected to do nothing in any given year make their season interesting, even if they are one of the Sabres division rivals.
4 - Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers will be contenders, but that hasn’t stopped them from struggling through some incredibly lean periods this season. Florida has won just two of their last six, and in those four losses, opponents outscored them 15-2.
3 - Boston Bruins
I know, in a previous ranking, I claimed the Boston Bruins wouldn’t lose the No. 1 spot until another team forced them out in the standings. But no one saw them losing five of their last seven, either, and that’s where the Bruins stand. Until they get back on track, they won’t see the No. 1 ranking in the division.
2 - Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the biggest mysteries of the 2023-24 season, or at least that’s the case recently. They recently shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-0, only to get outscored 14-5 in their next two contests, including their 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
1 - Tampa Bay Lightning
If there is one team I don’t want to play right now, it’s the Tampa Bay Lightning, even if the Sabres have enjoyed a decent track record against them lately. Tampa has won four of their last five, with a combined score of 24-12, so yeah, it’s safe to say this team is on quite the roll.
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres are still struggling toward the bottom half of the power rankings, but pedestrian play from Ottawa plus the recent struggles from Detroit have placed the Blue and Gold up a couple of rungs. If they can keep up that old approach that made them so entertaining last season, maybe they’ll finally see the top half.
feed
(Information provided by ESPN.com)