Move over, basketball. The Sabres are the real madness this March.
Buffalo has won 3-straight games and possesses some of the top talent playing in the NCAA’s College Hockey Playoffs getting underway this week.
Let’s dive into it.
Going Streaking
After their most ugly loss of the season in Edmonton, the Sabres have rebounded with 3 impressive wins.
The old Sabres would win two promising games and then lose 6-straight, but this team has started to show that that’s a thing of the past.
Even though they’re far out of playoff contention, this team has the attitude of something to prove. And that was reinforced by Kevyn Adams’ lack of moves at the trade deadline.
“These next 19 games for our group are important — continue to push ourselves and continue to grow. This group allows us to do that.” — Sabres GM Kevyn Adams
Some will say that’s poor asset management, but it’s hard to care about a 5th round pick when you watch the games right now.
Whether it’s Dahlin’s development, Thompson’s breakout, or the overall camaraderie of the group, this team is just fun again.
After what this fanbase has been through, it’s okay to revel in that for the final month of the season. Next year is shaping out to be one to look forward to, and it’s been a while since you could genuinely say that with confidence.
Quick Hits
The Sabres had a quiet trade deadline, making just one deal. Robert Hagg was sent to Florida for a 2022 6th round pick.
There have been rumblings that the Sabres may soon be announcing the return of the black & red ‘goathead’ jerseys. This was first reported by Icethethics back in January.
College Hockey Playoffs
The Sabres possess some of the headliners in this year’s College Hockey playoffs, which kicked off this week.
Matteo Constanti (2020 5th round pick) and North Dakota were eliminated on the first day of action by Notre Dame.
This is something to keep an eye on for fans looking to see the likes of Owen Power, Devon Levi, and Ryan Johnson potentially signed and in a Sabres uniform heading into April.
Friday’s schedule:
Levi (NE) vs Western Mich — 12 PM (ESPN U)
Power/Portillo (MICH) vs American Int’l — 3 PM (ESPN U)
Johnson/Huglen (MINN) vs Massachusets — 6 PM (ESPN U)
Game Preview: Washington Capitals @ Buffalo Sabres, 3/25/22
Despite winning 3-straight, the Sabres enter as lofty underdogs (14% odds to win according to Betway) against a veteran Capitals team.
It’s ‘vintage night’ at KeyBank Center, so we’ll see if the Sabres can channel some of that 06-07 energy.
Capitals By The Numbers
Record: 35-20-10 (80 points) | Division: 4th | League: 10th
5v5 Expected Goals-For Percentage (xGF%): 50.56% (14th in the NHL)
5v5 Goals-For Percentage (GF%): 54.47% (7th in the NHL)
Quick Hits
If the Sabres win this game, that will be 4-straight. That would be their longest win streak since the 10-game winning streak in 2018.
Craig Anderson is 4-1 with a .913 SV% in his last 5 starts.
Tage Thompson has 6 points (4G, 2A) in his last 5 games.
Players to Watch
Alex Ovechkin (WSH): Alex Ovechkin has 36 goals and 24 assists in 58 games against the Sabres in his career.
Alex Tuch: The top line was clicking last game, but Thompson was on the receiving end of the goals. Tuch is scoreless in his last five, so I think he gets one tonight.
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