The Buffalo Sabres are holding on to a singular playoff hope by a thread, so the likelihood that they make it to the postseason is infinitesimal. The sliver of hope they are clinging to will not be enough, as they will extend their drought to a disheartening 13 years. As they close out their season in these last few games, there are a few things they should focus on to gear themselves up for the offseason and the 2024-25 regular season.
Find Offense, No Matter the Cost
It is no secret that the Sabres have struggled to score compared to last season, and several factors contribute to that. The first issue is the lack of consistency from their top forwards. Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Jeff Skinner, and Dylan Cozens have regressed this season, and despite having decent numbers, they just haven’t been good enough regularly. This season, they have combined for a total of 84 goals and 187 points compared to last season, when they combined for 149 goals and 323 points. With their production alone being cut nearly in half, the Sabres have struggled to find any offensive consistency throughout the season.
They need to focus on getting them back up to speed, finding out what chemistry, line combination, or strategy best maximizes their abilities, and starting to implement it so they can refine it over the summer and come out swinging in October. So far, the adjustment of adding JJ Peterka to the top line with Thompson and Tuch has worked well, so they can build on that. Now they need to get Skinner and Cozens going with different linemates.
The other issue has been the sad excuse for what they call a power play. In 2022-23, they had one of the best in the league, even sitting third at one point. This season has been the exact opposite. It has been a rinse-and-repeat cycle of boring perimeter play, and a constant feeding of Thompson for a one-timer that is so telegraphed. Alex Ovechkin is probably demanding royalties from him now, and almost nobody is ever going to the front of the net. The Sabres’ power play has been so predictable and bad that fans booed them on home ice just for the puck leaving the zone. Fixing the power play starts with the assistant coach assigned to running it, and for the Sabres, that is Matt Ellis. So far, he has failed to adjust, and the Sabres need to re-evaluate who runs the man advantage or fire the man who does and start over next season.
Sabres Must Encourage Devon Levi’s Development
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