The Buffalo Sabres are on the brink of snapping their 14-year playoff drought, the longest in NHL history. With their playoff odds rounding up to 100% and a 5% chance of winning the Stanley Cup-tied for seventh-best with the Pittsburgh Penguins-Buffalo's turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable.
Just four months ago, the Sabres were languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and now they're in the thick of the race for the top seed in the East and the Atlantic Division title, battling powerhouses like the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning. Let's dive into the key players who'll be pivotal in Buffalo's final stretch of games.
Peyton Krebs
Head coach Lindy Ruff has been impressed with Peyton Krebs' defensive prowess on the first line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. However, Krebs' presence has led to a slight dip in offensive production. With Thompson and Tuch, the line generates 2.94 expected goals per 60 minutes (xGF/60) without Krebs, dropping to 2.58 with him.
Despite this, the Sabres have outscored opponents 12-7 when Krebs is on the line. Ruff could consider swapping Krebs with Zach Benson, who's been on a goal-scoring streak, but the chemistry of Benson's current line with Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn might make Ruff think twice.
Krebs' offensive struggles persist, but his defensive contributions might just keep him on the top line. It's a delicate balance that Ruff will need to manage.
Bowen Byram
Bowen Byram was instrumental in the Sabres' mid-season resurgence, notching 12 points in a 10-game stretch that saw Buffalo go 8-2-0. However, his offensive output has since dwindled, with a 29-game goal drought and only five assists in March.
As the playoffs loom, the Sabres will rely heavily on their top-four defensemen: Byram, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson. Byram's previous Stanley Cup experience with the Colorado Avalanche could be invaluable, but he needs to regain his scoring touch to bolster Buffalo's postseason aspirations.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon
Coach Ruff has expertly rotated his goaltenders, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (UPL) and Alex Lyon, to keep them fresh. Both have been crucial to the Sabres' success, with UPL posting a .908 save percentage in 28 games and Lyon a .911 in 34 appearances.
The decision on who starts Game 1 of the playoffs will likely hinge on their performances in the final games. Both struggled recently, with Lyon allowing six goals on 33 shots against the Ducks and UPL conceding four on 31 shots versus the Bruins. The Sabres lost both games in overtime after late equalizers.
Strong goaltending will be essential for a deep playoff run, and Buffalo needs their netminders to rise to the occasion now more than ever.