The Buffalo Sabres’ playoff chances look relatively encouraging after the season’s first month. Now, some might believe that it’s far too soon to be compiling playoff probabilities. But then again, the season is quickly barreling toward the Thanksgiving signpost.
Thanksgiving is the first unofficial milestone that separates the wheat from the chaff. Teams in playoff spots, or at least reasonably close, try to stock up for the remainder of the season. Teams out of the playoff picture typically begin to sell off.
But this season has a different feel for the Sabres. Despite a shaky start, the club has recovered well enough. The Sabres have 14 points in the Atlantic Division, one that’s about as close as it gets. Buffalo is within five points of first place and is currently tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators for fifth place.
That situation has prompted the good people at Money Puck to assign the Sabres a 30.8% chance of making the playoffs this season. That’s a roughly 1-in-3 shot at making the postseason.
Given how things have gone so far this season, that’s not bad. The Sabres are ahead of clubs like the Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers, while trailing other Eastern Conference teams like the New York Islanders (34.7%) and Columbus Blue Jackets (35.9%).
Those numbers look relatively promising, especially when Money Puck doesn’t believe that clubs like the Pittsburgh Penguins (39.8%) and the Detroit Red Wings (45%) are locks to make the postseason.
Sabres fans have reason to get their hopes up this season
Sabres fans have been among the NHL’s longest-suffering fan bases. Their 14-year playoff absence has been brutal. But there’s cause for Buffalo fans to get their hopes up this season.
The Sabres are a young team that looks to be finally getting the structure they need to win hockey games. They’ve hung tough against some of the league’s best teams. Most importantly, they have rebounded quite well since their awful 0-3 start.
Of course, it’s far too early to reserve playoff tickets. But by the same token, it’s far too early for the NHL to dismiss the Sabres. The club has a unique opportunity to capitalize on underwhelming starts from Atlantic Division heavyweights like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers.
The Panthers, in particular, sit in last place in the division. While the Panthers can turn it up at any time, this rough patch for the defending Stanley Cup champions could be the window the Sabres need to get a solid foothold in the division.
Again, it may be too soon for fans to really get their hopes up. But there’s a chance that this could finally be the season the Sabres put everything together and get a real shot at making the postseason.