Week 15 of the Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 season has arrived, and finally, the Blue and Gold have a realistic chance to end the week with a three-game winning streak. Last week, they finished 1-2-0, losing big to the Seattle Kraken before rebounding vs. their heated rival, the Ottawa Senators. Finally, they fought hard vs. the Vancouver Canucks - at times literally - and narrowly lost 1-0.
This week, however, they are facing competition closer to the Senators than they are the Kraken or the Canucks, and it’s high time they’ve taken advantage. Up first is a matchup vs. the lowly San Jose Sharks, a team the Sabres swept last season. This year, San Jose is the worst team in hockey, so Buffalo needs to make a statement win here in Monday’s matinee that will begin at noon.
Buffalo Sabres will play some of the NHL’s worst teams in Week 15
The Chicago Blackhawks will be in town on January 17th, and the Sabres already beat them once this season. Chicago will be without star rookie Connor Bedard for this one, and that has hurt the Blackhawks in recent games. Once again, the Sabres can’t take this team lightly, and must make another statement win here to close in on 0.500.
Finally, they will face a rival in the Tampa Bay Lightning in another matinee on the 20th, and although Tampa once again has the better hockey team, the Buffalo Sabres should have the edge. The Blue and Gold have played Tampa well over the past calendar year, including a win earlier this season. Therefore, it’s more than okay for fans to expect a win despite Tampa’s overall solid year so far.
As for the prediction, this one will end up with the Sabres finishing 3-0-0, and will improve their record to 21-21-4. They should make quick work out of two of the NHL’s weakest teams, and once again, it should be expected. As for the Lightning, sure, Tampa will give them a challenge, but the Sabres have proven their rivals on the Gulf are nothing they can’t handle.
(Information provided by Hockey-Reference)