With the 2024 NHL All Star weekend wrapping up tonight, which means the 2023-2024 regular season will pick back up once again. They will look to their season around as they have an uphill battle for the last three months of the regular season. After going 2-1 in Week 16, Buffalo will two games in Week 17 which will be the start of a four game home stand for the Sabres as well.
Up first, the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. It will be the first of two meetings between Buffalo and Dallas this season as they split games last year. Buffalo has their work cut out for them as the Stars are 30-13-6 with 66 points and are sitting in second place in the Central Division. It will be the first game for each team after the break so both of them will be well rested and ready to go.
After a few days off, the St. Louis Blues will come to town for a nationally televised Saturday matinée. It will be the final matchup of the regular season between the Blues and Sabres. Buffalo will look to avenge their November 30th loss to St. Louis despite fighting their way back from a 3-0 deficit. Just like Dallas, the Blues are playing good this season.
They sit in fourth place in the Central Division with a record of 26-21-2 with 54 points. This game will be the Blues first game back as well meaning both teams will be relatively fresh. For the prediction, Buffalo will split Week 17. They will drop the first game against the Stars but will rebound against the Blues. It will be a difficult stretch for the Sabres as 7 of their 11 games in February will be against teams in a playoff spot currently.
We'll see what transpires but if Buffalo wants to get their season back on track, they will have to get through this February gauntlet.