After beginning the season with talks of tanking for the #1 overall pick, the Buffalo Sabres (13-16-2) have changed that trend in recent weeks. The sports scene in Buffalo is starting to heat up.
Continuing their streak, the Sabres edged the Ottawa Senators 5-4 in a shootout last night. They’ve won 10 of 13 and more importantly six in a row at home in the First Niagara Center. It’s the longest home winning streak since 06-07 for the club. The recent streak has them just four points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo has beaten some of the leagues best in this recent hot streak, and now focus on the tough week ahead.
“We’re starting to get the contributions from everyone,” Sabres head coach Ted Nolan said. “On any given shift someone can get one for us and we’re not looking for one line or one set of defensemen, it’s a whole. It’s a whole team, which is a good sign.”
It helps when you have the nhl.com number one star of the week, in Tyler Ennis playing red hot. Ennis had five points in three games last week (1G-4A). The 25-year-old leads the Sabres with 21 points in 30 games this season. Not to be out done, Jhonas Enroth has finally solidified into a solid goalie the team can depend on.
The Swedish goaltender is 8-2 in his last 10 games, and 4-0 in shootouts this season. He’s come up big during this streak, and more importantly is being rumored to being shopped around at the deadline.
Where the Sabres are in the standings March 2nd will be a big factor in who stays and goes.
At the beginning of the season it looked as if this team couldn’t compete against some AHL squads. Talks of tanking were spread throughout the league, and had players questioning if they would be dealt.
There’s no middle of the pack finish this year, it’s make the playoffs or have a top two pick, anything else should be considered a failure.
It will be interesting to keep an eye on this team. Will they try to add a piece or two to help round out this young team, or will the turn sellers and embrace the tank?
“I think it’s one of those things where you turn the corner and you just hope you keep taking off,” forward Marcus Foligno said. “It’s been a while since the feeling has been like this in this room, where confidence is high and you’re getting a lot of production from different lines, where before it wasn’t there. It’s just positive energy. It takes a while to build something here. We’ve got something special going.”
Regardless of what happens come March, the Sabres are streaking and hopefully they can continue against Winnipeg tonight.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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