The Buffalo Sabres are sitting in a strange spot as we roll into December. On paper, they’re ahead of teams like the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs in the standings - something Sabres fans would’ve gladly taken at the start of the season.
But here’s the twist: that only puts them 14th in the Eastern Conference. So yeah, it’s been that kind of year in Buffalo - flashes of promise, but still a long road ahead.
A Glimpse of What Could Be
Monday night’s 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets wasn’t just a nice scoreline - it was a reminder of what this team can look like when things click. It was fast, it was physical, and it featured contributions from key players who’ve been missing for most of the season.
The Sabres didn’t just beat the Jets - they controlled the game. And in a season where inconsistency has been the norm, that kind of performance stands out.
Josh Norris Returns - And Delivers
Let’s start with the obvious storyline: Josh Norris is back. After playing just one game on opening night before landing back on the injured list with a shoulder issue, Norris returned to the lineup and immediately made his presence felt.
He scored in the first period, cashing in on a rebound to extend Buffalo’s lead to 3-0. Then in the third, he added a highlight-reel goal on a breakaway, finishing with a slick backhand that showed off the kind of skill that makes him such a dangerous weapon when he’s healthy.
That’s the big caveat - when he’s healthy. Norris has the tools to be a 30-goal scorer.
He’s got speed, hands, and a nose for the net. But until he strings together a full season, his reputation is going to be tied to his injury history.
For the Sabres to make any kind of real push this year, they need Norris on the ice and producing - plain and simple.
Is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Taking Over the Net?
Goaltending has been a bit of a carousel in Buffalo this season. Alex Lyon had the hot hand early.
Colten Ellis showed flashes. But now, it’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who’s starting to look like the guy the Sabres hoped he could become.
It’s been a slow ramp-up for Luukkonen since coming back from injury, but over his last four starts, he’s gone 3-1. The lone blemish? A road loss to Pittsburgh the night before Thanksgiving - and let’s be honest, road games have been a problem across the board for Buffalo.
Still, Luukkonen is trending in the right direction. He’s on pace for a career-best goals against average (2.51), and while his save percentage hasn’t quite cracked the .900 mark yet, he’s starting to show the poise and confidence that made him a standout during the 2023-24 campaign. If he can stabilize the crease, that changes the equation for this team.
Health Is Trending Up - Finally
It’s hard to ignore where the Sabres sit in the standings, but there’s some context worth noting. They’re just six points out of fourth place in the East. That’s not an insurmountable gap, especially considering how banged up they’ve been.
Buffalo has been among the league leaders in man-games lost this season - and that’s not just depth guys. We’re talking about core players.
Even so, they’ve managed to hover around .500. That’s not nothing.
Now, the cavalry is starting to return. Norris is back.
So is Zach Benson. Jason Zucker, too.
There are still a few key absences - Michael Kesselring and Jiri Kulich remain out - but this is the healthiest the Sabres have been all season. And with that comes opportunity.
Depth has been a concern since the start of the year, and the injuries only made it worse. But now, with more of the regulars in the lineup, the excuses start to fade. If this team is going to make a move, this is the time.
A Make-or-Break Stretch Coming Up
The next 10 games could define the Sabres’ season. The schedule lines up favorably - they’ll see the Jets again, plus a pair of matchups against the Flyers, and games against the Flames, Kraken, and Canucks. None of those teams are exactly juggernauts.
This is where Buffalo needs to assert itself. If they can come out of this stretch with six or more wins, they’ll be right back in the thick of the playoff picture. There’s no dominant force in the Eastern Conference right now, and in the Atlantic Division, the Sabres are just three points out of a playoff spot.
So here we are: the lineup is healthier, the goaltending is settling, and the schedule gives them a chance to gain ground. The Sabres have shown glimpses of what they could be. Now it’s time to find out who they really are.