The Buffalo Sabres have won four of their past five games to claw their way out of last place in the Eastern Conference, a spot now shocking held by the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. The stretch includes convincing wins over the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes.
Yet, everyone from Sabres fans to national NHL analysts have learned to take every Blue and Gold surge with a grain of salt. Rarely does it translate into sustained success, which is why the team owns a league-record 14-year playoff drought.
Could this time be different? Perhaps. Buffalo is starting to get key players back from injury and the underlying numbers (via Natural Stat Trick) suggest their on-ice performance has improved during the small but meaningful stretch of games:
- Expected goals for percentage (xGF%): 52.9% (12th in the NHL)
- Scoring chance for percentage (SCF%): 59.3% (3rd)
- High-danger chance for percentage (HDCF%): 56.7% (8th)
Those seeking a cause for concern will point to the Sabres' shooting percentage, which is the highest in the NHL over the time period at 16.2%. They won't be able to maintain that rate, but it's also buoyed by a nine-goal outing against the Chicago Blackhawks.
So maybe, just maybe, Buffalo is capable of making a legitimate climb up the East standings, which would be a run Sabres fans richly deserve.
For now, let's break down our newest edition of the Sabres player grades series after one of the team's most complete victories of the season over the Canes.
UPL leads the way in the Buffalo Sabres' impressive Nov. 23 win over the Carolina Hurricanes
Sabres player grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | 9.5 |
Ryan McLeod | 8.5 |
Bowen Byram | 7 |
Jack Quinn | 7 |
Jason Zucker | 6.5 |
Beck Malenstyn | 6.5 |
Alex Tuch | 6 |
Tage Thompson | 6 |
Noah Ostlund | 5.5 |
Tyson Kozak | 5.5 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 5 |
Josh Doan | 5 |
Zach Benson | 4.5 |
Rasmus Dahlin | 4.5 |
Conor Timmins | 4 |
Jacob Bryson | 4 |
Peyton Krebs | 3.5 |
Owen Power | 3 |
Josh Dunne | 2 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
UPL delivered his best game since a 35-save January shutout against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. He stopped 29 of Carolina's 30 shots, and the only goal allowed came after he was knocked out of position when Beck Malenstyn tried to clear out the front of the net.
The Sabres still don't have a clear solution for their three-goalie logjam, so head coach Lindy Ruff is opting to ride the hot hand. Colten Ellis received three straight starts ending with a 6-2 loss to the Calgary Flames. Luukkonen has been given the net the past two contests, both wins.
It's far from ideal because Alex Lyon, who was Buffalo's best player early in the season, now hasn't received a start in over two weeks. Alas, there really isn't a better option on the table, so the "play until you lose" rotation may continue for the time being.
In the bigger picture, getting UPL to showcase the form he did during the 2023-24 season, when he compiled a .910 save percentage in 54 games, would provide a massive boost to the Blue and Gold.
Sabres quick hits
- Bowen Byram has recovered from a lackluster start to the campaign to start making a much better game-to-game impact.
- Not only did Beck Malenstyn deliver a highlight-reel goal, but he's enjoying his best stretch of hockey since joining the Sabres.
- Noah Ostlund continues to fill a niche role well and should remain in the Buffalo lineup over Peyton Krebs when Josh Norris is cleared to return.
- A solid, albeit unspectacular, first game back from injury for Zach Benson.
- Owen Power's lack of involvement becomes a bigger concern with each passing game.
- The Sabres return to action Wednesday night (7 p.m. ET) when they visit PPG Paints Arena to take on Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins.