There's no denying that tonight's game against the New York Islanders is crucial for the Buffalo Sabres. If everything goes right, the Sabres could be only three points back of a playoff spot. As you can see in the tweet below courtesy of The Charging Buffalo, it's a big night for the Sabres with lots on the line.
BIGGEST GAME OF THE SEASON 🍿
— The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) March 14, 2024
With a regulation win tonight, the Sabres could climb within 3 points of a playoff spot.
• BUF/AZ WIN: 3 points out
• BUF/DET WIN: 5 points out
• NYI WIN: 7 points out pic.twitter.com/AeKDbNOdDt
Even though it's a huge game for both teams, a under-the-radar storyline is redemption. I know last year has nothing to do with this season but let's just go back to the 2022-2023 campaign for one second. Buffalo faced New York on March 7th of last year. Just like this season, this game had playoff implications.
In the game, former Sabre Hudson Fasching scored a controversial goal. The puck went off of Fasching's leg and into the net. Even though he seemed to direct the puck with his leg, it remained a good goal and it turned out to be the game-winning goal.
While the Sabres beat the Islanders a couple of weeks later, Buffalo missed the playoffs by one point. Now I'm not saying that goal is the reason why the Sabres missed the postseason, but it brings us back to today. The Fasching goal happened one year and one week ago today, which is why tonight's game is retribution night.
Look, I'm just a fan. I guarantee you the players are not using the goal from last year as motivation for tonight. What I'm trying to say is the Sabres have a great chance to get revenge and how poetic would it be if they got the victory tonight against the same Islanders team?
It's going to be a huge game for both teams, but it's great to see the Sabres playing meaningful games in March. Let's hope Buffalo can match what they did on Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings for tonight's game. With how up and down the season has been, they're still alive. Hopefully, they can get the victory in front of the home crowd.
Again, with a Sabres win and an Arizona Coyotes win, both in regulation, Buffalo will be three points out of a playoff spot. Puck drop between the Sabres and Islanders will be at 7 pm.