Buffalo Sabres continue to stagnate in the Week 14 Atlantic Division Power Rankings
While the Buffalo Sabres have played better hockey in 2024, they still remain well behind the top five teams in the Atlantic Division.
The Buffalo Sabres may finally have found their groove in 2024, but it doesn’t mean their 0.750 points percentage so far in this calendar year will help them in the latest version of the Atlantic Division Power Rankings. Buffalo may be winning games, but the top five teams in the Atlantic are also accumulating points, even the Boston Bruins, who have lost three straight recently.
Therefore, for the first edition of the Atlantic Power Rankings in the 2024 calendar year, don’t expect the Sabres to have climbed. But if they can finally generate consistency, then perhaps the Blue and Gold will leapfrog a few teams in front of them and end up in the top half.
However, for the time being, that’s nothing more than wishful thinking on the optimist’s part. So where did the Sabres land exactly in the Week 14 rankings? You won’t need to read too far into this one to find out.
Buffalo Sabres stuck in the bottom half of Atlantic Power Rankings
8 - Ottawa Senators
For a while, the Ottawa Senators were in eighth place by default given the number of games in hand they had that accounted for their low points total. But that’s no longer the case, as the Sens are on pace for just 62 points this season, making them arguably the NHL’s most disappointing group.
7 - Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens have been rather feisty throughout the first half of 2023-24, but they have lost six of their last eight, and the reality check may finally have fallen upon them. Things won’t get any easier when they face the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, and that could send the Habs into a downward spiral.
6 - Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres could finally be ready to turn the corner after a disappointing first half, having gone 3-1-0 since 2024 started. But the Blue and Gold have yet to find consistency, having failed to put together winning streaks of more than two games through 42 contests.
5 - Detroit Red Wings
Following an ultra-lean period in December, the Detroit Red Wings finally look as though they’re heading in the right direction once again. However, they aren’t beating tough competition so often, having recently lost to the Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers. They recently scored a win over the Los Angeles Kings, so that’s something to build on.
4 - Tampa Bay Lightning
Following a demoralizing defeat at the Boston Bruins hands on January 6th, the Tampa Bay Lightning have won two straight, and they face a still-stagnating Anaheim Ducks next. Tampa may be winning ugly lately, but they’re getting the points, and it’s all that matters.
3 - Boston Bruins
There is trouble in Boston, as the Bruins are clinging to a one point lead over the Florida Panthers in the Atlantic, and they lost their three most recent games. To Boston’s credit, all three losses went to either overtime or a shootout, which let them walk away with a point, but it doesn’t negate the fact they’re hanging just above 0.500 points-wise in the new year.
2 - Toronto Maple Leafs
Through just 39 contests, the Toronto Maple Leafs have 50 points, and they seem to have rebounded following a lean stretch that saw them lose five out of six games. While they couldn’t get the best of the New York Islanders in their most recent contest, Toronto won four straight in the games prior, outscoring opponents 16-3.
1 - Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers may be the hottest team in the NHL with nine straight wins, and a man named Sam Reinhart has been a huge reason behind their recent success. Don’t be surprised if Florida passes Boston in the standings this coming week if they stay hot.
For the Buffalo Sabres to move up in the next edition of the rankings, they need to keep knocking off teams like the Vancouver Canucks, who they will face this afternoon, and take advantage of weak competition like the San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks, both of whom will be coming to KeyBank Center in Week 15.
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(Information provided by ESPN.com)