After ripping off several wins, including definitive victories over the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes (among others), the Buffalo Sabres were alive for a hot second until they suddenly weren’t anymore.
Thursday’s tilt with the Columbus Blue Jackets suddenly felt lifeless, which is why the eventual loss felt like no big deal. There will be a lot of questions as we head into the offseason, but for now, let’s focus on the three takeaways from the Sabres’ 3-2 loss to the Blue Jackets.
The Sabres Were the Better Team
It should be noted right from the jump that this isn’t a case of the Sabres just not showing up after being officially eliminated from the playoffs. Though he expressed frustration that the team waited too long to start playing well, Rasmus Dahlin brought his A-game to Columbus.
The Sabres, as a whole, were the better team. They peppered a whopping 41 shots on goal, but young Blue Jackets netminder Jet Greaves was simply outstanding. Aside from the two early goals the Sabres scored, they couldn’t find a way to get another one past Greaves and his 39 saves easily made him the first star of the night.
The Sabres have had several instances this season where they have been the better team. Good teams find a way to hang on and close things out, something the Sabres have struggled mightily with so far this season. There are the makings of a good team in there, they just need to round into form.
The Kids are Presenting a Major Question
Noah Ostlund is the latest in a long line of Sabres first-round picks to finally make it to the big club. Ostlund has been around for a few games, looking like he’s largely just getting acquainted with the speed of the game as head coach Lindy Ruff keeps him on the fourth line.
Related: Sabres’ Rookie Noah Ostlund Deserves a Bigger Chance
The reality, however, is that Ostlund is just one of the many questions surrounding young players on this team. Zach Benson and Jiri Kulich have played well in a very small sample size since being paired with Tage Thompson. Though the results are promising, it would be dubious to enter next season with Kulich as your de facto first-line center.
The Sabres have a big problem in that regard. If this were year five of the drought, rolling with the kids at the top could be possible. But when the streak is a threat to hit 15 seasons, it doesn’t feel like something that can happen. The youngsters have played well enough to earn more time, but it may not be afforded to them.
Another Blown Lead
The biggest issue with his team has been its inability to hold a lead. This marks the 23rd time the Sabres have blown a lead this season, though it is just the sixth time they’ve blown a lead in the third period. At least they don’t string fans along before they blow the game?
Cut that number down by even five games and this is a team in contention for a wild card spot. Sure, there are underlying factors that lead to blowing the game, but it is an overall culture issue to have that many. The others near the top of the list – San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators – are also near the bottom of the standings.
Part of “getting over the hump” for the Sabres means just finding a way to hold on. They’ve shown the ability to get out to a hot start this season. Some maturity and a little bit of sandpaper will help them find a way to cut down on the number of games they can’t finish.
Time for Auditions?
With the playoffs officially out of the question, what’s left for the final four games? Do the Sabres just suit up the same lineup and try to close out the season on a positive note? If anything, it’s time to give the aforementioned Ostlund a bigger role, see if the Benson-Kulich-Thompson trio can continue playing well, and get an idea of what you have.
This is limbo as we approach what will likely be the most tumultuous offseason in recent memory. Seemingly, no one has an idea of what to expect, what direction the franchise will take, and whether they stand a realistic shot at breaking the streak next season. It’s a tough time to be a fan of the Sabres.
