What is going on with the Buffalo Sabres. They have been great all year, but are playing like crap now?

Answer 1

It's just a slump plain and simple. Yes teams are taking us seriously and playing better defensive hockey. It is tough to keep up the intensity for 82 games and then add the playoffs. trust me they all know this is a slump and are working on a way to get back to the form of hockey they are used to playing.



GO SABRES GO!!!!!!!

Answer 2

82 games is a long season and there are bound to be ups and downs. Right now they are a bit down. What concerns me most however is their special teams. The power play is awful and has been all season. The penalty kill isn't much better, but will be when Henrik Tallinder returns.

Also Miller hasn't been himself the last month, but if you remember he had a dry spell towards the end of last year, then rebounded to his all-star form for the playoffs.

Derek Roy has also been a disappointment this year. Last year he generated a scoring chance every time he stepped on the ice. This season it seems he gives up the puck time after time, trying to make the perfect play.

Overall the Sabres need to get tougher. They are getting pushed around A LOT. Look at the injuries. Regeir needs to part with some depth and find the toughness he lost when Grier, Mckee and Dumont left Town.

GO SABRES !!!!!

Answer 3

Yes they are struggling but they still lead their division by 10 points and the conference by 6 and trail in the overall league by just 3 points. All this with a losing month of January. In the past at this point we are looking to catch at least 2-3 team in front of us but this year wear are ahead so everyone is in the panic mode. Don't worry when the big teams and big games are on the Sabres will be ready to perform.

Only team to have 5 players with 20 or more goals
Drury 27
Vanek 25
Pominville 22
Afinogenov 21
Briere 21

Answer 4

It's a slump and the schedule. The Northeast division isn't the division where you want to have to work through a slump and get healthy. But they have a feeling that Connelly will be back in time for the playoffs, and Tallinder should return as well soon, which will bolster the lineup and right the ship.

Answer 5

Its a slump. Every team has one and no one can avoid one. In time it will blow over and the sabres will be back to their usual winning. But for the time being they just need to keep working.

Answer 6

Same thing happened last winter, we let the Sens pass us and we started to fall asleep. Mind you we weren't as good at the beginning of the year, but still the same idea, teams have figured us out but we're just slumping, too. I have a feeling Tim Connolly's return, if it happens soon, will reinject life into this team in time for the playoffs.

Answer 7

Because other teams are starting to treat that toupee like a target. Everyone knows Buffalo is one of the best teams this year, and they're gunning for them. Good practice for the playoffs, though, if you can survive.

Answer 8

It's a long season, every team can have some down time once in a while. They were playing at a ridiculous level for the first couple of months. I still can't believe how good their offense has been.

Answer 9

They just have not been playing well in the past month or so. Power play is struggling. Passing has not been as sharp as early in the season. Teams have been stacking defensively against them to prevent the old man rushes. Hopefully they get out of their funk and play thier best hockey in May.

Answer 10

i was lucky to get both briere and afinginov on my fantasy team so i follow buffalo a lot.--the coach made a decision to use afinigov on another line because the power play was bad.--well that was a miss take in my opinion.--because goals overall have gone down since that change.--briere and afingonev have a chemistry and were just a tad weak on the pp.--you dont hope to help one while definitely hurting the other--my opinion