‘Although some may argue that it is a little early to call a series of games “critical,” the Buffalo Sabres schedule of eleven games in November may have considerable influence over the team’s fate this season. The schedule is grueling and fraught with peril. Of the 11 games, the team plays four sets of back-to-back contests. Moreover, ten of the eleven games are against divisional opponents, all of whom stand ahead of the Sabres in the standings, including two of the hottest teams in the NHL.’