Iv owned a sabres jersey and have been waiting years to feel good about wearing it to my beer league. I believe its about f ing time. All those high end drafts maturing. Im excited to see what happens.
I did want to add some context as everyone focuses on "the firing of Kevyn Adams" as the catalyst, but this is not the case. The Sabres players themselves have said this was not the case as well. What actually happened is that the roster was missing 3-4 key pieces in the top 4 and top 6 at all times. about 32ish games in the Sabres roster was fully healthy (other than Jiri Kulich who may miss the season with a blood clot). The Sabres players point to when they were down 4-1 vs. Detroit and they rallied themselves to win the game. It was at that point, plus finally being healthy, that they went on a 10-game win streak. The Sabres had already won 3 in a row before Jarmo took over/Kevyn was fired. From the outside, if you don't follow the team, it is easy for all of these "news" hockey channels to get the story incorrect or incomplete. But the real context of the story is that the Sabres started the season very injured, had a rally when they beat a strong team, and finally had consistent goaltending. Any other moving pieces were really just noise in the background.
I've noticed in the past when teams have broken long playoff streaks, they've done it with some margin rather than just barely making it. For example, both Washington and Columbus had long streaks (seven and eight years) right at the beginning of their histories before making their first playoff appearances, both built up some margin that even held up if they slumped towards the end. I think if Buffalo can do this where they have enough room to lose a couple or three games they're still in, they'll make it. But if it comes down to a point or two on the last weekend, or if they fall out, even by a point, with a game or two to go, they'll find a way to blow it. They'll either make it with room to spare or they won't make it at all.
My man, thanks for the videos. Love hockey and deserves to be one of the biggest sports in the world cause it is JUST THAT GOOD!!! So thank you for helping grow the game and appreciate the content always.
I root for Buffalo since 2020, all thanks to https://www.youtube.com/@MelodyMartinMusic – I hope she will finally be happy somewhere. Your time has come, Sabres fan !!!
Naah, they are 4th on their division, 1st wild card, with only 3 points advantage…they have plenty of time to return to their real selves 😂…would be extremely nice though.
New York Jets have the longest playoff drought in pro sports. They haven’t made the playoffs in 15 consecutive years. The droughts are close but because hockey season is longer, Jets will have the longest until they break theirs.
I have a few questions because I want to understand better. Dallas commented that they hadn’t been forechecked the way they were vs Sabres all season. Was that just an especially good game for them or did they do something different?
Are they getting better contributions from guys outside of the usually suspects or are the usual suspects playing better? Tage has looked unstoppable at times this season. The Detroit OT win back in November snd his recent 5 point night vs Montreal come to mind. They also seem to be using him in different ways.
Has the emergence of Samuelsson been a big factor? Hes scored more in his 40+ games this season than in his 212 career games I believe.
Finally, Owen power still drives me crazy. I feel like he turns the puck over way too much. The same can be said about other guys like Byram but Byram is having high offensive production to balance it out. Power is just turning it over and at times playing bad defense in front of his own net.
#1 Adams built almost the entire team. #2 THEY (Zucker, Dahlin, Greenway, Norris, Etc) FINALLY GOT HEALTHY WHEN THE WIN STREAK STARTED. #3 They bolstered the 29th ranked defense in the entire NHL in 24/25 by adding Timmins, Kesselring, Danforth and much the more physical forward Josh Doan. #4 Added goalie depth with Alex Lyon and Colton Ellis in the off-season. #5 Lindy Ruff has had more time (his 2nd year) with this team to develop chemistry. Lindy had this team 3 points out 1st last year in November 24/25, when Dahlin got injured, they had no depth and lost 13 in a row.
Also, in 24/25 UPL was staggered with an unproven Levi who lost 7 out of 9 starts last year, most of Levi's losses coming early in the season which put UPL in a hole, along with having the 4th worst D in the entire NHL in front of him. The Sabres were top 10 in the league in scoring last year, scoring has never been the problem. Defensive breakdowns leading to turnovers and odd man rushes were the #1 issue in 24/25. The new GM has nothing to do with the Sabres recent success, all the pieces were out in place by Adams before Jarmo got there… They simply got healthy… But hey, if you've got a turtle neck, 'credibility' a PhD AND you hail from one of the worst current teams in the NHL (Colombus, Jarmo), what good is all of his fact, reason and logic? 👍 🏒 💯 ⚔️
Sabers definitely a new version of their team this season. They're playing well, but I am not going to hold my breath. The east is kinda crazy this year, lots of teams challenging for spots. All it will take is a small return to their mean, and Buffalo could easily finish 82 games sitting a few measly points on the outside.
32 Comments
I started following the Sabres when everyone was being super mean to them at the start of the season and then they lit up haha I'm proud of them.
I used to pray for times like these
Wrong! The NY Jets have a slightly longer playoff drought.
Iv owned a sabres jersey and have been waiting years to feel good about wearing it to my beer league. I believe its about f ing time. All those high end drafts maturing. Im excited to see what happens.
The bills did not get screwed man, stick with the hockey analysis, that’s your lane
I did want to add some context as everyone focuses on "the firing of Kevyn Adams" as the catalyst, but this is not the case. The Sabres players themselves have said this was not the case as well. What actually happened is that the roster was missing 3-4 key pieces in the top 4 and top 6 at all times. about 32ish games in the Sabres roster was fully healthy (other than Jiri Kulich who may miss the season with a blood clot). The Sabres players point to when they were down 4-1 vs. Detroit and they rallied themselves to win the game. It was at that point, plus finally being healthy, that they went on a 10-game win streak. The Sabres had already won 3 in a row before Jarmo took over/Kevyn was fired.
From the outside, if you don't follow the team, it is easy for all of these "news" hockey channels to get the story incorrect or incomplete. But the real context of the story is that the Sabres started the season very injured, had a rally when they beat a strong team, and finally had consistent goaltending. Any other moving pieces were really just noise in the background.
I've noticed in the past when teams have broken long playoff streaks, they've done it with some margin rather than just barely making it. For example, both Washington and Columbus had long streaks (seven and eight years) right at the beginning of their histories before making their first playoff appearances, both built up some margin that even held up if they slumped towards the end. I think if Buffalo can do this where they have enough room to lose a couple or three games they're still in, they'll make it. But if it comes down to a point or two on the last weekend, or if they fall out, even by a point, with a game or two to go, they'll find a way to blow it. They'll either make it with room to spare or they won't make it at all.
My man, thanks for the videos. Love hockey and deserves to be one of the biggest sports in the world cause it is JUST THAT GOOD!!! So thank you for helping grow the game and appreciate the content always.
I root for Buffalo since 2020, all thanks to https://www.youtube.com/@MelodyMartinMusic – I hope she will finally be happy somewhere. Your time has come, Sabres fan !!!
With the Canucks season in full meltdown, I'm pulling for a Sabres/Sharks Finals. Happy for both franchises. 👍
Rumour has it, that any mistakes are punished by forcing the player to spell GM's name while looking into his eyes.
1:18 Why can't everyone be like this?
I actually had sabres going over the regular season points this year so glad that it looks like it will hit
AYE BABE, NEW HOCKEY PSYCHOLOGY JUST DROPPED
Undoubtedly, not undoubtably
Naah, they are 4th on their division, 1st wild card, with only 3 points advantage…they have plenty of time to return to their real selves 😂…would be extremely nice though.
New York Jets have the longest playoff drought in pro sports. They haven’t made the playoffs in 15 consecutive years. The droughts are close but because hockey season is longer, Jets will have the longest until they break theirs.
Lyon > 6K
The last time Buffalo made the playoffs, Gangnam Style, GTA V and Snapchat didn't exist.
Thanks for cursing us hockey psychology means a lot
Sabres have been playing playoff hockey since the ten game win streak and doing it against serious playoff teams
If Ruff gets buffalo to the playoffs = automatic Jack Adams winner 😆. Because this have been the mission impossible for coaches
This was fascinating! Thank you!
I have a few questions because I want to understand better. Dallas commented that they hadn’t been forechecked the way they were vs Sabres all season. Was that just an especially good game for them or did they do something different?
Are they getting better contributions from guys outside of the usually suspects or are the usual suspects playing better? Tage has looked unstoppable at times this season. The Detroit OT win back in November snd his recent 5 point night vs Montreal come to mind. They also seem to be using him in different ways.
Has the emergence of Samuelsson been a big factor? Hes scored more in his 40+ games this season than in his 212 career games I believe.
Finally, Owen power still drives me crazy. I feel like he turns the puck over way too much. The same can be said about other guys like Byram but Byram is having high offensive production to balance it out. Power is just turning it over and at times playing bad defense in front of his own net.
Thank you in advance!
Not now that you jinxed it
Uh😊
Another week goes by where I'm just happy that the breakdown isn't for the Red Wings and we stay boring, top of the Atlantic, and jinx-free.
I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I WAS A SABRES FAITHFUL FOR YEARS WHERE ARE THE REAL ONES AT
#1 Adams built almost the entire team. #2 THEY (Zucker, Dahlin, Greenway, Norris, Etc) FINALLY GOT HEALTHY WHEN THE WIN STREAK STARTED. #3 They bolstered the 29th ranked defense in the entire NHL in 24/25 by adding Timmins, Kesselring, Danforth and much the more physical forward Josh Doan. #4 Added goalie depth with Alex Lyon and Colton Ellis in the off-season. #5 Lindy Ruff has had more time (his 2nd year) with this team to develop chemistry. Lindy had this team 3 points out 1st last year in November 24/25, when Dahlin got injured, they had no depth and lost 13 in a row.
Also, in 24/25 UPL was staggered with an unproven Levi who lost 7 out of 9 starts last year, most of Levi's losses coming early in the season which put UPL in a hole, along with having the 4th worst D in the entire NHL in front of him. The Sabres were top 10 in the league in scoring last year, scoring has never been the problem. Defensive breakdowns leading to turnovers and odd man rushes were the #1 issue in 24/25. The new GM has nothing to do with the Sabres recent success, all the pieces were out in place by Adams before Jarmo got there… They simply got healthy… But hey, if you've got a turtle neck, 'credibility' a PhD AND you hail from one of the worst current teams in the NHL (Colombus, Jarmo), what good is all of his fact, reason and logic? 👍 🏒 💯 ⚔️
Sabers definitely a new version of their team this season. They're playing well, but I am not going to hold my breath. The east is kinda crazy this year, lots of teams challenging for spots. All it will take is a small return to their mean, and Buffalo could easily finish 82 games sitting a few measly points on the outside.
.
f the buffalos moron PENGUINS ARE GONNA MAKE IT!
Rangers fan here – I'm always rooting for Buffalo – they've had too long of a draught. They need some good news.