Is there a chance that the Buffalo Sabres are the best team in hockey this year? I'm not one to have lofty expectations being a buffalo sports fan, but it's hard to argue with results. I believe most opinions here would concur that Ottawa, Carolina, Detroit and Montreal are all playoff teams. The Sabres went into Ottawa, Carolina and Hockeytown and won. They played a tough one at home with Montreal and came out victorious.
The scary part? The Sabres haven't even begun to play their best game yet. Their penalty totals are almost doubling what they took last year. Jaro Spacek is just starting to get in rythm with the rest of the d core. We haven't even seen there most offensive centermen, Tim Connolly. This team plays from behind never gets rattled and has benefitted from tremendous goaltending. If you asked a Carolina or Detroit fan, I'm sure they would say through 40 minutes they grossly outskated and outplayed the sabres, heck, I'd agree.
Solid D. Potent, quick offense. Two starting goaltenders. Is it possible? Are the Sabres the best team in hockey?
for the first 5 games, sure. but you'll need to wait until #82 to make that claim valid. San Jose is also looking very scary, and i wouldn't be surprised to see them at the top of the west
Kind of early, but they will most likely be one of the top teams in the East. I would also through San José, Anaheim, Calgary and Minnesota. (Yeah a little bit of homer, but they are 4-0 so far and look impressive)
Best team? Maybe. Seems like the best team in the East could manage more than 17 shots. I thought they would easily beat the Wings in regulation. But they are a top team.
I think they will be arguably the best for the next several years, starting next year. Vanek, Kotalik, Roy etc, are not yet where they could be, and Miller is one of the best goalies in the league, but will be better, they will be damn scary down the road.
I think I'm asking more than stating. I know it's early and as I said before, I never make lofty expectations, it always bites me in the @ss. I just wanted to get some feedback from people outside western new york. I guess we'll know in 78 games right?
By the way, I have center ice and holy moly does San Jose look good. I put them atop the west.
If the Sabres continue to play the way they have, they'll merely be 4-7 seed in the East. If they play up to their ability, they'll win the East and flirt with 60 wins. They have so many weapons up front, a rock solid defense, and the best goalie tandem in the league.
So far they've won all four games and played less than three good periods.
Sabres are a good team, without question. However, this year it seems like several of their fans have been parading their claim to something, much like several Flames' fans last year.
Is there a chance that the Buffalo Sabres are the best team in hockey this year?
Yes, there is a chance. A pretty decent one at that.
Of course, a couple of their cocky, er confident, fans have been telling us as much for a year now.
One cautions, however, to look at the calendar. Last season, Nashville was going to win the Cup in October, Ottawa the same in November, later Calgary, Philly, and NJD, among others, based on a good run of games.
Cliche, but true. A lot can happen from here until next June. A lot.
Sabres are a hard team not to like, as they play a solid, fast-paced brand of hockey. If only a couple of their loyal fans here could learn to spell the words "humble" and "modesty" and disperse with the unjustified trash talk.
