Sabres Slashes: Facing the Western Conference

The Buffalo Sabres have gotten off to a great start to the season. The team has yet to suffer a loss in regulation and is 4-0-1 on the season. The Sabres are playing the game the right way while using their speed to get in on the forecheck. The team has balanced scoring with all four line contributing in some way. The Sabres look to continue their good play as they take on four Western Conference teams this week.

The struggling Dallas Stars come to town today in a matinee game that see the puck drop at 3 p.m. On Wednesday night, the California trip begins for the Sabres as they take on the surprising Anaheim Ducks. On Thursday night, the Sabres take on the mediocre Los Angeles Kings. The west coast trip ends with a game against the San Jose Sharks, who need to get things together early in this season and the addition of Patrick Marleau may be the boost the team needs.

Monday, Oct. 14, 2019- Stars @ Sabres- 3 p.m.

The Dallas Stars are coming into Buffalo with a 1-4-1 record in six games, which isn't the ideal start for the team. The Stars are struggling in every facet of the game, and it has cost them in the standings. The team hasn't been able to put the puck in the net so they need to find a way to finish. Another way to get the offense done is to cap hit on some power play chances since the Sabres aren't very good at killing penalties. The team needs to avoid the penalty box since the Sabres are the best team in the early going at cashing in on their power play opportunities. 

The Sabres need to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game, and get momentum early. The Stars are a mediocre team at killing penalties so cashing in on the power play will help the Sabres get some goals. The Sabres should try to use their speed especially on the entries to force the Stars defensemen to back into their zone. The Stars may be struggling but the Sabres can't get lazy or too comfortable if they have a lead. The Sabres want to have the lead entering the final period of play since they are 4-0-0 when they have the lead entering the third period.

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019 - Sabres @ Ducks- ESPN+

The Ducks have been a surprising team so far in the early going since most people expected them to struggle, but great goaltending has kept them in games. John Gibson has been spectacular in the four games that he has played. He is 3-1-0 with a 1.26 goals against average and .961 save percentage. Ryan Miller was good in his one game he has started in so far this year. The Ducks will need good goaltending when facing the Sabres, since they will get their chances and goals. The Ducks need to be physical and establish the forecheck early in the game to get some second chances. Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler are to dangerous players from the back end, who can move the puck and pick up points. The Sabres want to be aware of them when they are on the ice.

The Sabres should take care of the puck since the Ducks have the speed and players to make a team pay for their mistakes. The goaltending is going to be a key in this game for the Sabres so saves need to be made. The Sabres will need to get shots on net and make sure there is plenty of traffic in front for rebounds and deflections. The team need to match the speed of the Ducks, who have some young kids on the roster.

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 - Sabres @ Kings- 10:30 p.m.

The Kings have started out the season as most expected and that is up-and-down. They have a 2-2-0 record and the biggest problem has been the struggles of Jonathan Quick. Quick has not looked good in net all season, and he'll need to find a way to get it back. The Kings should avoid the penalty box because the Sabres will cash in on the man advantage. The team needs to avoid turnovers and limit mistakes to have a shot at winning the game. The goalie, whether Quick or Jack Campbell, needs to make the easy saves and not allow any soft goals. 

The Sabres need to get pucks on the net because of the Kings' goalie struggles. The Sabres should pressure the puck carrier to force some turnovers and get even more chances. The team will probably need to work for their space and be patient with the puck, when they have it. The Sabres need to shut down the Kings' top line because they've combined for 13 points in the early going. 

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 - Sabres @ Sharks- 10:30 p.m.

The Sharks finally got its first win of the season and are 1-4-0 in five games so far this season. The Sharks should try to set the tone early and get off to a better start to the game since they haven't scored very many first period goals this season. The team needs to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game and get some momentum. It would be beneficial to the Sharks if the team could find a way to finish and get some pucks in the net. They'll need to find a way to stop Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson, who have managed to lead the Sabres to a good start.

The Sabres should get the first goal of the game since they are 4-0-0 when scoring the first goal. The Sabres need to know where Brent Burns and Logan Couture are when on the ice since these two can produce points. The team could stand to get off to better starts and get more goals in the first period. The Sabres want to win the even strength battle since the Sharks have a decent penalty kill and can score on the power play.

Sabres Slashes Weekly Prediction

The Sabres will finish the week with a 2-1-1 record. The first win of the week comes against the Ducks in overtime on Wednesday night. The second win of the week comes against the Kings on Thursday night. The Sabres lose in overtime to the Sharks on Saturday night, and will lose in regulation to the Stars on Monday afternoon. Victor Olofsson will keep his hot streak going and score a few goal this week, and Kyle Okposo will get some points this week.