All right, Sabres fans, I get it. I think we all get it. You’re all frustrated, and rightfully so. You’ve seen this team, for going on 14 long years, miss the NHL playoffs. And now, some of you are saying it will be 14 seasons.
While I try to be optimistic about the Sabres, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to do. For one, they’re the worst team in the conference as I write this with just 32 points. Buffalo also managed to lose on New Year’s Eve, meaning they once again couldn’t find a way to win over three games in a row.
Yeah, it’s another sad story for Sabres fans. But, if there’s any upside, it’s that they’re still, somehow, not out of this thing as 2025 starts to heat up. Wait, starts to heat up? Hey, Todd, it’s early January; what are you talking about?
Plus, it’s not like time flies this time of the year, what with the frigid temperatures, bucketfuls of snow, and ultra-long nights. Yeah, yeah, but like I said, I try to be optimistic about things, and the days are getting longer, minute by minute. So that means I’ll be outside before I know it, running between three and five miles a day while jamming to power/symphonic metal and K-pop.
And the Sabres will be long gone from playoff contention, right?
Maybe, maybe not. Because if you checked the wild card standings, the Sabres may be in last place, but they’re not incredibly far from landing that second spot. As of Thursday morning, the Sabres and their 32 points are just eight points behind the Ottawa Senators, who have 40.
Oh, and if you think all hope’s lost, get this: Flip over to the Western Conference, and teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, and Nashville Predators ought to just enter sweepstakes for the No. 1 overall pick. They’re all 14-plus points back, nearly double what the Sabres are.
So, while the Sabres fit in 16th place out of 16 teams in the Eastern Conference standings, they’re just a good month (or two) away from turning this thing around. Yeah, a few teams need to lose a few more games than win. But hey, eight points is essentially a four-game deficit from a certain angle.
That’s easy enough to come back from right? Of course, it is. And if this team can go something like 3-1-1 in their upcoming slate of games all month long, they’ll be right back in it. But again, if you go out west and look at the Hawks, Preds, and Sharks, yeah, they’re a few light years away from playoff contention.