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| Eastern Conference Standings - March 24 (Sabres.com) |
Last night was a preview in the Big Apple of a potential first-round matchup. If the Sabres nab the seventh or eighth seed, they could very well be facing the New York Rangers or Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. Seeing the Sabres play last night and knowing how hot the Penguins are currently (points in 14 straight, winners of 13), let's hope we experience more games like we just did... that is wins over the Rangers.
The Sabres just defeated the Rangers on their home ice, the world-renown Madison Square Garden, where the Rags are 26-10-2 this season. The game wasn't really close either with a 4-1 final score. If I'm a Rangers fan, the one team I'm praying my team will not encounter in the first round is the Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres defeat New York Rangers in regulation (+12.1%).
The Sabres are creeping in feverous. Buffalo (36-29-10) is 12-2-4 since Feb. 17, improving from 14th place in the East to currently being tied with Washington for eighth. They also trail seventh-place Ottawa by two points and were ten points out of a spot before this hot streak. "We're just trying to ride this wave as long as we can," said Drew Stafford who in his last six games has four goals, eight assists and a +12 rating. The line of Stafford, Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno has been a key, combining for eight points last night. The line has totaled 33 points over a 5-0-2 stretch since Foligno was called up from the minors March 9. Along with that line, the Sabres are riding a smokin' hot goalie in Ryan Miller. If they indeed make the playoffs and can remain healthy, this team can make a deep run. Mark my words. I have no doubt in my mind they can give whichever top-seeded team they'd be matched up against a striking run for their money. What do you think? Look to your right and vote in the current poll. Continue reading after the jump.
A whole lot went in the Sabres' favor last night. Consider them high rollers now when it comes them rolling the dice on their playoff odds. I'm talking about the significance each game brings from here on out. Each game from now on will impact playoff odds by at least double digits. This is what it all comes down to. Like I said earlier - the playoffs before the playoffs. Pre-playoffs? Anyway, on to the other games from yesterday.
Montreal Canadiens defeat Ottawa Senators in regulation (+2.1%). Erik Cole scored three goals in the first 5:41 to set a Montreal record for the fastest hat trick at the start of a game in the franchise's 100+ year history, and the Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators 5-1. "Something was mentioned to me (about the record), but it's not really in the forefront of my mind right now," said Cole. Petteri Nokelainen also scored in the first period, and Lars Eller added one in the third for the Canadiens, who won the season series against Ottawa 4-0-2. A third loss in a row left seventh-place Ottawa (37-28-10) only two points up on the Sabres with seven games to play.
Winnipeg Jets defeat Washington Capitals in OT (+0.4%). Leading by one, Washington didn't record a shot on goal in the first 16 1/2 minutes of the third period, giving Winnipeg a chance. Spencer Machacek took advantage and scored his first NHL goal to tie it with 3:45 remaining in regulation, giving the Jets all the momentum they needed on their way to a 4-3 victory. "It's stupid play by us," said Alex Ovechkin, who scored twice during the portion of the game when the Capitals were actually playing offense. The Capitals have been caught by the Buffalo Sabres. Washington and Buffalo each have 82 points with seven games remaining, with the Capitals technically in front because they own the non-shootout wins tiebreaker.
Since every game affecting the Sabres' odds went in our favor last night, I wanted to share the other two which had a minor effect - Columbus Blue Jackets defeat Carolina Hurricanes in regulation (+0.3%) and Edmonton Oilers defeat Florida Panthers in SO (+0.2%).
Last night's total positive impact was +16.3%, bringing total odds to 39.2%. That's a percentage we last saw in the middle of December. Take a glance at the graph.
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| Buffalo Sabres' playoff odds. (SportsClubStats.com) |
The Sabres are home tonight to play host to the Minnesota Wild. This is their only meeting this season and 12th all-time. In their last meeting, Buffalo defeated Minnesota, 3-2 (OT), in Minnesota on March 6, 2011. Overall, the Sabres lead the series with a 6-5-0 record but are 1-4-0 at home.
Sabres opponents are 2 for 31 on the power play in the last 12 games. The Sabres shouldn't get much of a challenge from a Minnesota power play among the league's worst at 15.1%. The Wild (31-32-10) have not won a road game in regulation since Feb. 2. The Sabres are 6-0-1 in their last seven at home, although the Wild have taken their last four visits to the First Niagara Center. Below are the potential playoff odds impacts by game outcome for our game and two more tonight.
Minnesota Wild at Buffalo Sabres
BUF - Reg Win (+7.9%)
BUF - OT Win (+7.9%)
BUF - SO Win (+7.5%)
MIN - Reg Win (-16.2%)
MIN - OT Win (-5.0%)
MIN - SO Win (-5.0%)
Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators
OTT - Reg Win (-2.9%)
OTT - OT Win (-2.9%)
OTT - SO Win (-2.9%)
PIT - Reg Win (+3.1%)
PIT - OT Win (-0.4%)
PIT - SO Win (-0.4%)
Winnipeg Jets at Nashville Predators
NSH - Reg Win (+2.1%)
NSH - OT Win (+0.1%)
NSH - SO Win (+0.1%)
WPG - Reg Win (-2.7%)
WPG - OT Win (-2.7%)
WPG - SO Win (-2.7%)
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