Buffalo Sabres and the NHL: 2025 - 2026. Changes are needed. Don't we say that every year?

[Jauronimo]

On 11/28/2025 at 11:05 PM, QCity said:

I didn't watch that game, but the Sabres outshot the Devils 42 - 23 and lost 0 - 5? 😂

 

 

 

I watched most of the game.  I thought the Sabres were getting the better of game play as wild as that sounds in a 5-0 loss.  But the advanced stats suggest I'm not insane.  The Devils were outworked but proved to be more dangerous as they made us pay for mistakes.  Buffalo generated solid chances but nothing would go in. 

 

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20252026&game=20379&view=limited

 

The Pens game was a slow start but it was ALL Sabres by the midway through the 2nd period.  Slow start factored in, I thought the Sabres got the better of the action and the advanced stats suggest I'm not insane.  Poor goaltending was the difference.

 

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20252026&game=20366

 

In the Wild game the Sabres were again getting the better of the game play in my opinion but got extremely lucky with a fluky goal to force OT.  Once again, the advanced stats suggest I'm not insane.  Minnesota looked far more dangerous on fewer scoring chances but Ellis and defenseman made critical stops.

 

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20252026&game=20399&view=limited 

 

Its still early, but this is the best and most consistent hockey the Sabres have played in any period during the drought that I can remember.  The Sabres are more often than not outworking their opponents and earning the right to win these games.  

On 11/27/2025 at 1:08 PM, oldmanfan said:

Power costs them again.  They need to somehow package him and a goalie together and get a defenseman that actually knows how to play the position

Its maddening how often our Dmen are in the right position but can't seem to lift up a stick or take the body to eliminate the scoring chance.  Its also maddening how often its OP.

[BillsFan4]

Josh Norris is back in the lineup tonight. Let’s hope he’s actually able to stay in 5e lineup this time. Third time’s a charm, right? lol 

[BillsFan4]

Fun win! They were just all over the puck all night long. Winning puck battles all game. Transitioning up ice quickly and smoothly. Crisp passing. D men joining the rush. Everyone back-checking hard. Everyone playing with energy. If only they could play like this consistently…

 

Norris looked great in his return. He clearly gave the whole team a big boost.

2 nice goals. He didn’t look rusty at all.

I was definitely a bit nervous watching him take face offs, especially the first couple. lol

 

Loved seeing the team sticking up for Benson.

and Benson is definitely becoming one of my favorite Sabres. Kid is just a spark plug and raises the effort/compete level of the whole team (IMO). He’s also really skilled and more of it’s starting to show at the NHL level now. I can’t wait to see him continue to develop. I remember how excited I was when he was still on the board and was worried the Sabres would pass on him. So glad they didn’t!