The Buffalo Sabres didn’t get off to the start they wanted this season. During the first two months, nothing seemed to go their way. They suffered injuries, lacked defensive structure, and had inconsistent goaltending and scoring. However, they have slowly improved their play at even strength over the past month and a half. Their defense, offense, and goaltending have all ranked in the top half of the league since Dec. 21, resulting in a respectable 9-6-1 record since then. Unfortunately, the Sabres’ putrid power play has prevented them from reaching another gear.
Sabres’ Improvements At 5-on-5
The Sabres dug themselves an early season hole by starting 13-17-3. During this stretch, Tage Thompson missed nine games due to injury, and Jack Quinn didn’t return from his offseason surgery until the 33rd game of the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets. That night was a turning point in the Sabres’ season; it was an embarrassing 9-4 loss on home ice, and the words “FI-RE DON-NY” could be heard throughout KeyBank Center as disgruntled fans shouted in unison. The fanbase had enough of the lackluster efforts and called for head coach Don Granato’s job.
After that night, the Sabres seemingly rallied around their coaching staff. They blew out the Toronto Maple Leafs 9-3 in their next outing, and their play at even strength began to show a noticeable improvement. The team slowly started playing with a commitment to defense that hasn’t been seen in Buffalo in years. Before this turning point in late December, the Sabres ranked 26th in goals-against per 60 (GA/60), 22nd in expected goals-against per hour (xGA/60), and 29th in high-danger chances against per 60 (HDCA/60) at 5-on-5.
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By all accounts, their team defense was a disaster. But since that blowout loss to the Blue Jackets, the Sabres rank fourth in GA/60, sixth in xGA/60, and first in HDCA/60. That’s right — the Sabres have given up the fewest high-danger chances at 5-on-5 in the NHL since fans called for Granato’s job. The Sabres’ improved defense and puck possession has translated to more goals and chances. At 5-on-5, they improved from 2.63 goals per 60 (GF/60) to 2.97, and their expected goals per 60 jumped from 2.53 to 2.8.
The Sabres now consistently own the majority of goals and scoring chances at even strength, and the…
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