Crazy we are in last place in the division but 6 points out of first with 2 games in hand

[Scottysabres]

Title change? Or to soon?

[MattPie]

At the (just past) quarter mark, the Sabres are at 0.500. to get to 0.600 over the next 20 games, they'd have to play 7-3-0 or 7-1-2 hockey for two 10-game stretches. That seems fairly unlikely. Even spreading out over the rest of the season, they'd need to play ~0.633 hockey, averaging between 6-4-0 and 6-3-1 per 10-game stretch. Maybe a switch flips and they suddenly become that team, maybe not. They're not that team now.

6 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

Title change? Or to soon?

Too soon, lol.

Edited 3 hours ago by MattPie

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, Doohickie said:

Out of all the teams in the wildcard race, only Buffalo and Philadelphia are on winning streaks (both W2).  Montreal is the only other team in the race that did not lose their last game.

We've got a lot of teams to pass, and none of them are perfect teams.  They all have their warts.  If the Sabres can work themselves out of this injury hole *and* beat the teams they should beat, playoffs are possible for this team.

The Sabres SEEM to have fixed their play at home, PROVIDED they aren't playing a team they are too immature to take seriously prior to puckdrop.  Fixing that taking opponents lightly thing is the next thing that needs to be fixed in their home play.

On the road, they've still had too many stretches where opponents get the matchups they want and eventually get the goals they need to keep the Sabres road records one of the worst in the NHL and so bad even playing 0.750 at home since the 3rd home game and better than 0.64 there overall can't get them over NHL 0.500 which is a low bar to cross.

MAYBE getting healthy will allow them to be better at avoiding the killer matchups against.  Pittsburgh would be a good place to start that.

They need to continue getting strong goaltending on the road or even better matchups won't help them enough.

[PASabreFan]

4 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Look Gandalf also said "there never was much hope, just a fools hope"

One might say a fool's gold (and blue).

[bob_sauve28]

1 hour ago, MattPie said:

At the (just past) quarter mark, the Sabres are at 0.500. to get to 0.600 over the next 20 games, they'd have to play 7-3-0 or 7-1-2 hockey for two 10-game stretches. That seems fairly unlikely. Even spreading out over the rest of the season, they'd need to play ~0.633 hockey, averaging between 6-4-0 and 6-3-1 per 10-game stretch. Maybe a switch flips and they suddenly become that team, maybe not. They're not that team now.

Too soon, lol.

Math! Boo! 

Such a perfect science. Maybe too perfect. 

That sure makes it look impossible

 

[Pimlach]

1 minute ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Math! Boo! 

Such a perfect science. Maybe too perfect. 

That sure makes it look impossible

 

It is not impossible.  Win enough in a row to improve the current .500 to .600.    This can be done in a few chunks with winning streaks, they are about to win 3 in a row if they can get a road win in Pittsburgh - that is a real MW.  

Then maintain .600.  This means they average winning 6 of 10 (3 of 5) like a real hockey team.  

It means no more big losing streaks.  No more losing 3 in a row.  No more OTL's unless they are come from behind.  It is time for this team to grow up.  

 

[bob_sauve28]

56 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

It is not impossible.  Win enough in a row to improve the current .500 to .600.    This can be done in a few chunks with winning streaks, they are about to win 3 in a row if they can get a road win in Pittsburgh - that is a real MW.  

Then maintain .600.  This means they average winning 6 of 10 (3 of 5) like a real hockey team.  

It means no more big losing streaks.  No more losing 3 in a row.  No more OTL's unless they are come from behind.  It is time for this team to grow up.  

 

Totally love your optimism but I'll only believe it when I see it. 

[French Collection]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

It is not impossible.  Win enough in a row to improve the current .500 to .600.    This can be done in a few chunks with winning streaks, they are about to win 3 in a row if they can get a road win in Pittsburgh - that is a real MW.  

Then maintain .600.  This means they average winning 6 of 10 (3 of 5) like a real hockey team.  

It means no more big losing streaks.  No more losing 3 in a row.  No more OTL's unless they are come from behind.  It is time for this team to grow up.  

 

Winning three in a row has been a real big hurdle for this team in what seems like forever.

I agree that there is a sliver of hope, they just need to have more of a sense of urgency than the plenty of runway attitude.

[Doohickie]

2 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

That sure makes it look impossible

[bob_sauve28]

 

[Doohickie]

The 2022 Kentucky Derby winner wasn't even supposed to be in the race- Number 21 in a 20 horse field.  He's circled in yellow

If Rich Strike can do it, so can the Sabres.

Edited just now by Doohickie