BUFFALO – Hours after one of the most embarrassing defeats in franchise history, the Sabres canceled practice and likely relived the horrors of Tuesday’s stunning 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in video sessions.
It was no doubt painful viewing.
The Sabres had fallen into a rut before they blew a four-goal lead and lost for just the second time in their 55-year history.
Two months into the season and barely a week removed from a three-game winning streak, they’re in danger of falling out of the playoff chase.
The Sabres have dropped four straight games (0-3-1) and just suffered a loss so humiliating it feels like it could spark some change. They must figure things out in a hurry.
They have 57 games remaining, starting with tonight against the Winnipeg Jets, whose 36 points ranked second in the NHL entering Wednesday’s contests.
Tuesday kicked off a five-game home stand at KeyBank Center that could make or break the Sabres’ season. Realistically, they need to earn eight or nine points in the next week.
Teams in a playoff spot by early December or Christmastime typically stay in one.
The Sabres began Wednesday three points out of the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot. While that doesn’t sound like much, they have their work cut out for them. Four teams – the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders – stood ahead of them.
The schedule can be unforgiving. Fresh off a nightmare outing, the Jets come to town surly, having lost four straight games following their torrid 18-4-0 start. They’re expected to start goalie Connor Hellebuyck, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner.
The Sabres scored four of just the seven goals they’ve mustered in their last four games in the opening 11:49 of Tuesday’s loss. Now, they will likely be facing a goalie widely considered to be the world’s best.
What if the Sabres keep losing? Most teams, of course, can shake off a bad week or an awful night.
But in these parts, losing streaks have dragged on throughout their NHL-record 13-year playoff drought. Things often spiral out of control.
Just a single loss as rough as Tuesday’s can be cause for alarm.
Remember, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin left Tuesday’s game with back spasms, which is related to the injury that sidelined him throughout training camp. The Sabres haven’t updated their top defenseman’s status. If he’s absent for any amount of time, it will be felt.
Fans had enough of losing long ago. They booed the Sabres out of disgust late in Tuesday’s game and again as the final horn sounded.
If the Sabres keep this up, how hostile will fans become? They’ve often quickly turned on the home team, creating a toxic environment.
In bringing back Lindy Ruff for another stint, general manager Kevyn Adams not only hired one of the most successful coaches in NHL history – tonight will be his 1,800th game – he instilled hope in a disgruntled fan base.
But that’s clearly dwindling.
Ruff is revered, having led the Sabres to the Stanley Cup final and four appearances in the Eastern Conference final during his first stint.
At times this season, his message seemed to be reaching his players. Remember, despite their recent struggles, they’re 11-12-2, just one game under .500. They have three three-game winning streaks.
They’ve done some good things.
On the other hand, they have three streaks of at least three losses. The often look too soft around their net and are wildly out of position in their own zone.
Ruff seems dismayed his players, many of whom have significant experience despite being in their early or mid-20s, keep making the same mistakes.
Following Tuesday’s loss, Ruff and some players mentioned the Sabres panicked as the Avalanche roared back.
“They started to make a push and there was a bit of panic in our game,” Sabres center Tage Thompson said.
Adams is under enormous pressure to fix the Sabres. So perhaps a significant move – a trade would be the most likely – will materialize soon. But considering their sorry state right now, anything could be on the table.
Most fans would agree there’s a dire need to make a move or two. However, most fans would agree that they have zero confidence in Kevyn Adams ability to make the right moves to help this team. In fact, most I would say: are afraid Adams will make things worse. Imagine that, what could possibly be worse than missing the playoffs for 13-14 years in a row? Apathy is 1 thing i suppose, as many simply dont care anymore. Their very love of the team & game, challenged like never before. The home arena, closer to a mausoleum than a professional sporting colosseum.
One has to wonder what the whole purpose of buying out Skinner’s contract was? What was the pressing need for cap space this year, if we’re not going to use it to improve the roster? I’m not saying that wasnt the right move, but what was the plan or reason for doing it? Nothing this team does makes much sense these days, other than the owner & GM simply going thru the motions of running a pro hockey team. Does Brandon Beane know anything about hockey?