Post by Buffalo Sabres on Nov 25, 2023 12:15:57 GMT -6
Predictions of a step back this season due to roster vs salary cap restraints seemed to have been false, well for the first 20 games it certainly has been. What if I were to tell you the Buffalo Sabres would be leading the Atlantic and Steven Stamkos would rank 98th in PFHL scoring or Ovechkin at 54th? Could anyone believe this to be possible? OR what if we told you Calvin Peterson would back stop the Sabres with league leading stats, 92.3 sv% coupled with a 2.28 GAA? Would you believe that? Well both are true statements, Buffalo riding a 6 game win streak at the time of this publishing are atop the Atlantic division with 14 wins and 30 points, not a task to be under appreciated in what is hands down the PFHL's deadliest division.
Lets have a look at what has helped this seasons edition of the Buffalo Sabres to such a strong start. Key offensive contributors have come in the form of Oskar Lindblom and Jake DeBrusk. Lindblom is leading the blue and gold in points to start the campaign with 6 goals and 21 helpers, definitely key puck distributer. Debrusk although not as hot as Oskar but not to be overlooked, 11 goals and 13 assists have the making of a legitimate goal scorer for the Sabres. Although Stamkos and Ovechkin aren't getting the points they probably should be they are still scoring pretty well with 10 and 11 respectively. On the back end Muzzin's offensive dip is probably the same level of surprise as Gustav Forsling leading the D corp with 21 points, nobody saw that coming. Other notables, Anderson-Dolan's first pro campaign has been rewarding so far, the big season gamble of placing JAD on the 2nd line has not disappointed, 16 points in 20 games. It probably helps with line mates like Lindblom and Debrusk. Miles Wood has held his own on the 1st line but a little more is expected. John Marino in a top four role has paid off well also.
Can't talk about the positives with identifying some of the negatives. Michael Bunting has to the top of the list, 3 goals 8 points in 20 games is not the level expected from Bunting he needs to improve. The 3rd line as a whole really needs to be better, they have been marginally better the last hand full of games improving the +/- as a whole but a little production would come a long way to separating the Sabres from the pretenders. Rookie goalie Devon Levi has had a couple tough starts and will be counted on to be better when it's his turn to take some games. Levi will take the net against the New Jersey Devils tonight.
Special teams have also been strong, Sabres PP ranks 10th in the PFHL with 22.23% success rate. The PK has been exceptional posting an 88.12% kill rate landing them 1st in all of the PFHL.
The club has remained healthy so far this season and that can continue there is no reason to believe the Sabres can continue their successful ways!
The Buffalo Press.
Lets have a look at what has helped this seasons edition of the Buffalo Sabres to such a strong start. Key offensive contributors have come in the form of Oskar Lindblom and Jake DeBrusk. Lindblom is leading the blue and gold in points to start the campaign with 6 goals and 21 helpers, definitely key puck distributer. Debrusk although not as hot as Oskar but not to be overlooked, 11 goals and 13 assists have the making of a legitimate goal scorer for the Sabres. Although Stamkos and Ovechkin aren't getting the points they probably should be they are still scoring pretty well with 10 and 11 respectively. On the back end Muzzin's offensive dip is probably the same level of surprise as Gustav Forsling leading the D corp with 21 points, nobody saw that coming. Other notables, Anderson-Dolan's first pro campaign has been rewarding so far, the big season gamble of placing JAD on the 2nd line has not disappointed, 16 points in 20 games. It probably helps with line mates like Lindblom and Debrusk. Miles Wood has held his own on the 1st line but a little more is expected. John Marino in a top four role has paid off well also.
Can't talk about the positives with identifying some of the negatives. Michael Bunting has to the top of the list, 3 goals 8 points in 20 games is not the level expected from Bunting he needs to improve. The 3rd line as a whole really needs to be better, they have been marginally better the last hand full of games improving the +/- as a whole but a little production would come a long way to separating the Sabres from the pretenders. Rookie goalie Devon Levi has had a couple tough starts and will be counted on to be better when it's his turn to take some games. Levi will take the net against the New Jersey Devils tonight.
Special teams have also been strong, Sabres PP ranks 10th in the PFHL with 22.23% success rate. The PK has been exceptional posting an 88.12% kill rate landing them 1st in all of the PFHL.
The club has remained healthy so far this season and that can continue there is no reason to believe the Sabres can continue their successful ways!
The Buffalo Press.
