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The Buffalo Sabres started the season slowly but have won six of the last 10 and now sit just three points outside a playoff spot (it's early, I know).
In this edition of the hotstove we discuss whether or not the Sabres can seriously contend for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference this season.
Todd Cordell
I wouldn't say they're a lock but I definitely think the Sabres will remain in the playoff hunt until the end.
They are currently a top-10 possession team and their big boys are starting to produce at the level they're capable of. The defense is not perfect but Rasmus Ristolainen seems to be getting better each time out, Cody Franson is giving them quality minutes and Jake McCabe/Mark Pysyk have quietly been playing well.
If Linus Ullmark, Robin Lehner and/or Chad Johnson can give them even league average goaltending the Sabres will contend for a playoff spot in what is shaping up to be a highly mediocre division.
Ryan Wilson
Yes.
The Buffalo Sabres are a top 10 possession team (9th 51.2 CF%) but are a bottom five goaltending team (26th EVSV% .908). I'm confident that the possession part of things will stay where it is and the goaltending thing can be figured out. Last year the Sabres were trading goaltenders away because they were playing too good. This year they may have to shop around to find somebody who can get them league average.
They also have around 8.5M in cap space which gives them plenty of wiggle room to make trades as the year goes on.
Buffalo should be battling it out with Florida, Boston, and Ottawa for that final playoff spot in the division.
Michael Pachla
Absolutely, mainly because the eastern conference is wide open.
The Buffalo Sabres have been playing inspired hockey. They play fast, they play hard, they play with an edge and they play a 200' game. On those merits alone, that wouldn't be enough, however, to get them into the playoffs but what they do have that could get them there is a bona fide superstar in Jack Eichel and a budding superstar in Ryan O'Reilly, both of whom can take over a game.
The rest of the team has speed, skill and tenacity plus a commitment to head coach Dan Bylsma's system. Goaltending and defense are the Achilles heel with this team, however. They've got a lot of young talent behind the blue line who are playing very well. But, as teams get more tape on them, their weaknesses will be exposed and taken advantage of.
Although I originally had them finishing in the bottom-third of the league, finishing right around 20th seems to be where this team is headed at this point.
Tim Chiasson
Yes, because the Atlantic Division is awful.
The Sabres have a losing record and are only three points out of a playoff spot. Buffalo has made great strides since last year and this team is capable of climbing up and stealing a divisional berth if they can find some goaltending.
Other than Montreal, there are no teams in the Atlantic that are really impressive right now. I'm sure Tampa will figure something out, but FLA, OTT, BOS and DET are all on the same level right now. Buffalo isn't far off.
If they don't get a division spot then making the playoffs likely won't be an option, since the terrible Atlantic is poised to send only 3 teams to the playoffs.
If they find goaltending, and they might just find a playoff spot.
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