October is finally for the Buffalo Sabres, as the club finishes the month in subpar fashion going 4-5-1and only picking up nine of the 20 points available in October. Leaving fans not knowing what to expect for the rest of the season as the thought of not extending the playoff drought lingers.
While the Sabres ended the month winning three of their last four, giving everyone in the building something to look toward. November has been more of a trick for the Sabres instead of a treat as the Sabres are 10-15-3 in the last three seasons. October gave Buffalo the fans some excitement in October as the Sabres won three of five home games in October and will play five of their first seven games at home to being the new month.
A Lindy Ruff-led team has helped many players find new ways to play the game and has improved many of the leaders, and young players in October. But there are three players you should watch closely in November that will hopefully help turn the page on the Sabres season.
Tage Thompson is ready for his first 60 goal season
The obvious player to watch in November is none other than the man who wears 72 in blue and gold. Tage Thompson is currently seventh in the NHL in goal with seven and tied for 14th in points this season with 12. Currently Tage Thompson is on pace for the most goals he would have in his NHL career as he is on a 64-goal pace this season. It will only get better for Thompson this season as he’s second on the team in xGoals (5v5) with 1.8 xGoals.
He only trails Jordan Greenway in that category. While Thompson only has seven goals thus far, many metrics help make a case for a possible 60-goal season for the young center. Entering Saturday’s game against the Red Wings Thompson was fourth on the Sabres in xGF/60 with 3.28, according to Evolving Hockey.
What Tage Thompson needs to work on is getting to the high danger areas as only two of his seven goals have come from high danger areas. Thompson’s high-powered shot and size can create more opportunities for him to score and less of his shots blocked as he ranks in the top five in shots that were blocked with 26.
Dylan Cozens is ready to explode
Dylan Cozens has been the talking point for fans, and the Sabres, as he still sits at zero goals through the first month of games. Cozens is not lacking effort, as he’s more recognized for his playmaking skills. He ranks eighth in the NHL in created xGoals with 4.6, but many of them have not resulted in goals yet, as the second-line center still has three assists to his name.
While Cozens has been silent in October, his productivity has been evident elsewhere, including the power play, which ranks last in the NHL. Cozens on the power play has been the strongest part of his game as he has a 1.24 xGoals on the man advantage, which lead the Sabres. Cozens is also 17th in the NHL in xGoals. Dylan Cozens hasn’t found the net yet this season. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks out this season and earns his nickname of “The Workhorse for Whitehorse”.
Owen Power is ready to take the next step
What’s better than one elite defenseman on your roster? If you guessed two, you’re correct. That is the ceiling for Owen Power, as his offensive and defensive abilities have been on full display in October. The former first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft has found a system that he can strive in.
With eight points on the season, Power is ranked in the top 10 in points by defenseman in the first month of the season, placing him fourth on the team. Power also has two goals on the season the most by Sabres defenseman currently. Power also shares the first spot on the Sabres in shots blocked amoung defenseman with 15. The new Lindy Ruff has allowed his offensive defenseman to strive in the offensive zone and on the back end.
For Lindy Ruff and his squad, it was all positive motions after the rough start that October brought. From the Europe trip that disrupted the sleep schedule to the lackluster power play. With the number of home games Buffalo has in November, the expectation for the Sabres is to end the month with a winning record and start making some noise in the Eastern Conference.