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3 ways the Sabres can keep surging and earn a spot in the NHL playoffs

The Buffalo Sabres are 16-11-1 since the beginning of January, and they have since climbed back into the wild card race.

By Todd Matthews

Mar 12, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) celebrates his goal
Mar 12, 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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Play a defense-first game

If the Sabres have one component this season that they didn’t have in 2022-23, it’s decent goaltending led by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Last season, Luukkonen wasn’t on anyone’s shortlist to be a franchise goaltender, but that has changed this year through 41 games and 38 starts for the 25-year-old. 

It’s become clear that Luukkonen will get his saves, and that he will make more than his fair share of unprecedented ones none of us would have expected from him last season. But that doesn’t give the Sabres a ticket to get lazy in the defensive zone, especially in games when Luukkonen’s backup, Eric Comrie, is in the net. 

Through 66 contests, Buffalo hasn’t been the same team in the offensive zone that they were last season. And despite a pair of seven-goal games in March, their best bet is to shift their focus to playing a defense-first game. Frustrate opponents when they invade the Sabres zone, take away chances, and keep playing to what has become, at many times, a strength this season. 

Luukkonen has been great, but the Sabres have also been a solid defensive team in stretches. It reflects with their 14th spot in the league with 198 goals allowed, and it must keep up between Games 67 and 82. 

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