Quick Hits: Sabres at Avalanche / at Coyotes / vs. Predators
Coming out of the NHL-mandated bye week, things couldn’t have possibly gone any worse than they did for the Buffalo Sabres and their fledgling playoff hopes. Heading into break, Buffalo was 2 points out of a playoff spot. Without spoiling the wonderful journey we’re about to take you on, Buffalo no longer is 2 points out of a playoff spot.
Things started off pretty bad in Colorado. Buffalo looked like they were a day late and a dollar short. Arguably one of the worst teams in NHL history (points-wise, at least) handled this Sabres squad with relative ease, putting up 5 goals. Eek, I don’t think I want to talk much more about this one. The NHL really needs to figure out this bye week thing, eh?
The next night in Arizona was a little better, until it wasn’t. A two-goal lead looked pretty good heading into the final frame and then Buffalo collapsed. Allowing the game to be tied was a bitter pill to swallow but at least Buffalo looked to be getting a much important point in their seemingly-waning quest for the playoffs. Not to be outdone though, Buffalo had one more trick up their sleeve – allowing the game-winning goal with 18.3 seconds left. A sure two points turned into no points. Seeing points evaporate in the desert is never a good thing in a tight playoff race.
How would Buffalo put the cherry on top of this week’s crap sundae? Ooh, they did it inΒ style. At two different points on Tuesday night, the Sabres held a 2-goal lead and blew both of them. After not being able to capitalize on two 4-on-3, with a few 4-on-2’s sprinkled in due to broken sticks, in overtime..the writing was on the wall. Filip Forsberg did what Filip Forsberg does and the Sabres ended up leaving another sure-fire two points on the table for something less.
Following Wednesday’s Trade Deadline, the Buffalo Sabres play host to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday before heading to Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon to take on the Penguins.
Quick hits!
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- Now what?
As we draw closer to the sixth-straight playoff-less season of hockey in Buffalo, we can look toward Wednesday’s Trade Deadline. I mean, maybe. Buffalo will likely make minor moves to clear impending unrestricted free agents off the roster. Maybe we’ll see a hockey trade but I have to believe that’ll have to wait until the offseason.
Either way, we’ll be live at the KeyBank Center on Wednesday covering the Trade Deadline for y’all.
Click here for our live, updating Trade Deadline page.
- Playoff Update
Sports Club Stats reports the Buffalo Sabres have a 1.3% chance at making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Neato!
- Trade Deadline Preview
In case you missed it a few days ago, the BLTD guys got together to discuss the current state of the Buffalo Sabres and how the trade landscape looks for them heading into and through the 2017 NHL Trade Deadline on Wednesday afternoon.
- The Good Tweets
Hey Sabres win this you fucks
— The Wedding EnjoyerπΉ (@MattyRenn) February 26, 2017
oh right, Buffalo still has a NHL team, I almost forgot
— sba (@essbeeay) February 26, 2017
Alternative lolz tonight. pic.twitter.com/5U7lYE2wQU
— Ryan Boulding (@rboulding) February 26, 2017
With his assist tonight, Jack Eichel (90 pts) moved into the #Sabres all time Top 100 in points and is now tied for 98th with Rob Ray.
— Buffalo Sabres Stats (@SabresStats) February 26, 2017
all of these hockey trades are really making me think about the unending despair that will eventually envelop us all π
— Dadβs Friend Carmen (@fgif) February 27, 2017
Gorges for a 1st. Kulikov for Crosby. Kane for 18 1sts. Let's do it
— Derek Jedamski (@D_Jedamski) February 27, 2017
When every team is trading pieces except for yours pic.twitter.com/0C20v4l1fS
— Brayton J. Wilson (@BJWilsonWGR) February 27, 2017
— Max Marko (@maxwellmarko) February 27, 2017
*eichel is beaten to death with a club*
*no call*
*kane gets pushed near a loose stick, is penalty*Why doesn't anyone watch this?
— sba (@essbeeay) February 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/DaveDavisHockey/status/836068543317827585
Bylsma hard at work late in the 3rd pic.twitter.com/geNRLgdRyV
— Samscreen Screenhart π (@ScottyMCSS) February 27, 2017
Buffalo…back 2 back losses to Colorado+Arizona??!! Every single Sabre #PackYourShit right now. Get out.
— Mike Commodore (@commie22) February 27, 2017
I hope the Sabres trade themselves to fucking Mars in exchange for advanced technology from a long dead species to better humankind
— π»πππ π΄ππ πΆππππ (@Mechaphil) February 28, 2017
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β»β³| β’.β’) it is quiet…
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β»β³| … too quiet.— Tom Martin (@TomKCTV5) February 28, 2017
GMTM watching Kane score on #NHLTradeDeadline Eve… #Sabres pic.twitter.com/i393U4MZtg
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) March 1, 2017
Our old pal "Fire Regier guy" is trying to let Tim Murray to make some moves before tomorrow's deadline. Not as much umph as normal, though.
— Pat Malacaro (@PatWGR) March 1, 2017
Hey Dan Bylsma, you know you have a pretty good offense and not a great defense, right?
Bylsma: pic.twitter.com/dJL3anxbBP
— TJ Luckman (@SteadyRiot) March 1, 2017
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