The Buffalo Sabres delivered one of their most convincing performances of the season with a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night. It was the kind of statement game that pulls a team out of the Eastern Conference cellar-and maybe, just maybe, sets the tone for a turnaround.
But any momentum they’re building is about to be tested in a big way. Buffalo is heading out on a six-game road trip, and if we’re being honest, the road hasn’t been kind to them this season.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Sabres currently hold the NHL’s worst road record at 2-6-2. That’s not just a stat-it’s a trend that’s been dragging them down.
But there’s a glimmer of hope. Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win in Minnesota snapped a four-game road losing streak and could be the confidence boost this team needs heading into a grueling stretch.
The trip kicks off Wednesday in Philadelphia against a physical Flyers squad, then takes them on a Western Canada swing with stops in Winnipeg (again), Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver before wrapping up in Seattle. Six games in 11 days. That’s a lot of miles, a lot of time zones, and not a lot of practice time.
“This is a big trip for us,” said head coach Lindy Ruff following Tuesday’s practice. “We need to improve our road play and hopefully use that game in Minnesota as a game that kind of turns in the right direction for us.”
Ruff’s been around the league long enough to know what a trip like this can do to a team-good or bad. He even admitted he couldn’t remember the last time he had a road swing this long, even with his previous teams.
That says something. The Sabres will squeeze in a couple of practices, but with the tight schedule, Ruff expects only one or two full sessions.
That means most of the adjustments will have to come on the fly, in-game, and in real time.
Depth is going to matter here, especially on the blue line. The Sabres sent defenseman Zach Metsa back to AHL Rochester on Monday, but Ruff confirmed they’ll likely recall another defenseman before heading out west. That’s a smart move, especially with Michael Kesselring staying behind in Buffalo to continue rehabbing a lower-body injury that’s kept him out since last month.
Up front, Tyson Kozak is dealing with an unspecified injury, and while there’s no timeline yet, it’s another wrinkle in an already challenging road trip. Buffalo’s forward depth will be tested, and they’ll need contributions from all four lines to weather this stretch.
The Sabres have shown flashes this season-games where the young talent clicks, the goaltending holds up, and the defense keeps things simple. Monday’s win over Winnipeg was one of those games. Now the question is: can they bring that same energy on the road?
If they can, this trip could be a turning point. If not, it could be a long December.