Why this week is crucial for the Buffalo Sabres

With how up and down this season has been for the Buffalo Sabres, they still have a chance for the playoffs. At the current moment, Buffalo is 30-30-5 with 65 points and are seven points out of the final wild-card spot. The team who is in that spot is the Detroit Red Wings.

Buffalo will see the Red Wings twice this week, including tonight as the Sabres host Detroit. The divisional opponents will see each other again on Saturday afternoon but this time, the matchup will be in Detroit.

Before Saturday, the Sabres will host the New York Islanders. New York is also in the playoff race as they have 72 points, the same as the Red Wings. At the current moment, however, New York would be on the outside looking in if the playoffs started today.

The Islanders lost last night against the Los Angeles Kings, so the Sabres got some help. With who Buffalo is playing this week, this is why the next three games will be crucial for their season. All three games are against teams who are also fighting for a playoff spot. If Buffalo can take care of business and get some help, they could very well be back in the race.

I'm not saying the Sabres have to win all three games this week. While it would be awesome, it would be a good week if they won two out of the three games. The most bizarre part, Buffalo was seven points out of the playoffs on this day last year and only missed them by one point.

Even though the Sabres have underperformed this year, they are starting to show signs of the team we saw last season. In their last 10 games, Buffalo is 6-3-1. They just have to keep winning or get points as well as get some help.

As crazy as it sounds, they still have a chance. Hopefully, other teams can help them out but most importantly as Al Davis always said, "Just win."