The Buffalo Sabres are coming off what is a prototypical loss for them and the epitome of their season. They started strong against the Columbus Blue Jackets, only to see the home team score three unanswered on the way to a comeback win. It’s the reason why they see former members of the team finally getting into the playoffs when they could not all these years.
Facing off against the Florida Panthers on Saturday evening, both teams had little to play for. Many of the big names for the defending Stanley Cup Champions were out of the lineup, but the Sabres still gave it a good fight. Here are the three takeaways from their 3-2 shootout loss to the Panthers.
The Team Feels Different in a Good Way
There have been a few things that jump out about the Sabres in recent games. No, it isn’t the holes in the lineup, though they are glaring. It is the toughness and fight that the Sabres have shown. While it might be “too little, too late” for this season, it is hopefully an encouraging sign for 2025-26.
A great indicator of this comes from late in the second period. Jiri Kulich took a nasty hit on what should have been, at the very least, an interference call. Several teammates rushed to his defense, including captain Rasmus Dahlin who was looking to get his hands on someone.
This is the kind of response that has been missing for the past 14 seasons. Yes, it took far too long to find this season, but it’s something. Hopefully, the team is as tired of losing as they say they are and won’t be content to sit back and be bullied as they usually are.
The Core of the Team Has Taken it on Their Backs
Speaking of Dahlin, he is a key component of the core that will carry the Sabres forward. Him, Alex Tuch, Tage Thompson, and J.J. Peterka have emerged as visible leaders for this team, especially in overall performance.
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There has been a lot of criticism levied toward Sabres owner Terry Pegula, and with good reason. Reports of him having a meeting with the team and telling them that the “solution is in the room” were met with sarcasm and cynicism.
He may have been right. If the Sabres are going to end their historic drought, it is going to be on the backs of this core. Thompson and Dahlin are signed long-term, while Peterka and Tuch very well should (and likely will be). These are the guys that everyone should be looking to when things are tough.
A Strong Start From Luukkonen
The most encouraging development is the play of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He hasn’t really looked much like the goalie that earned a new contract in the offseason, playing with up-and-down consistency for much of the season.
Against the Panthers, he was not only outstanding, but he also displayed the usual calm that we have come to expect from him. Even when the play breaks down, he isn’t scrambling frantically. That’s the Luukkonen that the Sabres need and it was nice to see him once more.
The Sabres need UPL to find his game again if they are going to get out of this slump. Seeing him step in after largely relinquishing the starting role to James Reimer is nice, and hopefully this start is something that he can take as a building block moving forward.
Finish the Season Strong
There are three games remaining, and the Sabres can still play spoiler. Both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are vying for the Atlantic Division crown, and there would be nothing better for the Sabres than to hand one (or both) of them crucial losses.
To the fans that complain about the Sabres “wrecking their draft pick”: you are missing the point. The Sabres need to finish the season on a strong note because another high draft pick isn’t helping this franchise right now. Positive momentum could potentially make a difference depending on how things develop through the offseason. Win now to foster winning later.
