Did the Buffalo Sabres finally rise in the Week 15 Atlantic Division Power Rankings?

The Buffalo Sabres have been hot in January, but they still lag behind most of the Atlantic Division as Week 15 comes to a close.

Jan 18, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA;  Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) celebrates his goal
Jan 18, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) celebrates his goal | Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
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Buffalo Sabres
Dec 21, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres players in a scrum | Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

5 - Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs may be the hardest team to judge in the Atlantic, as they dropped four straight games after winning four straight. The issue is that they beat teams they should beat, and have lost to the league’s tougher competition, so that implies they are a middle-of-the-road group at this point. 

4 - Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning have won four in a row, and have outscored opponents 12-4 in their last two contests heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Sabres. As of Saturday morning, they have the longest current winning streak in the Atlantic, and they are looking to extend it to five games. 

3 - Florida Panthers

Last week, the Florida Panthers came so close to passing the Boston Bruins in the Atlantic Division standings, but they have now lost four straight. The only thing keeping them from dropping further is that they are still 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. 

2 - Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings put up quite a share of pedestrian efforts after they added Patrick Kane to the lineup, but that has since ceased and they are 7-2-1 in their last 10. Detroit may still be a piece away from truly contending for a top-three spot in the playoff race, but they snagged one in these rankings.

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