Sabres Upcoming Five Games Will Test Team Strength After Shutout Win
The Buffalo Sabres have had a less than fortunate start to their 2026 season. In 12 games removed since their playoff run, which ended a 14 season drought, the Sabers sit in a sub-average Atlantic Division position. Buffalo is 5-4-3 with 13 points and sport a -8 in the goal differential category. The teams 5 wins at the making of this article puts them behind New York foes the Rangers (7 wins) and Islanders (6 wins).
It’s ok to call the beginning of the season “disappointing” because it is – at least if you’re a Sabres fan. Buffalo hasn’t been able to complete 60-minutes of hockey this season, and their special teams and goaltending have been inconsistent. What’s frustrating is that Buffalo isn’t coming off of an average season where they snuck into the playoffs – They’re coming off a season where they won the Atlantic Division with 109 points.
The offseason did see the Sabers identically alter with the loss of Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade deal. The Sabres also came into the regular season down several key players with injuries, including the likes of Matt Grzelcyk, Conor Timmins and Jiri Kulich.
Missed opportunities haven’t helped much either. Through 12 games, Buffalo’s power play is converting a small 9.8% of opportunities, ranking dead-last in the NHL at 32nd. The team has scored 4 power play goals, whilst allowing 12 on the penalty kill.
Buffalo has frankly been outplayed in the second period, being outscored nearly 3-to-1, and have trailed going into the third period in 10-games already. Goaltending has been shaky, but the Sabres’ 2-0 shutout against San Jose on October 27th was an encouraging sign with Colten Ellis having one of the best games of his career with 23 saves.
There’s still more than enough time for Buffalo to shift their season back into being a contender. Buffalo is in a hole, but it’s not deep at all. The Sabres’ upcoming five game stretch gives an opportunity to make up for the early ground they lost, but it will have to come with the team playing some of their best hockey of this early 2026/27 campaign.
Buffalo's next five games are against the Ducks, Kings, Senators, Blue Jackets and Vegas – who combine for a 30-26-4 record. Only the Ducks (5-6-1) and Kings (3-6-2) have a losing record amongst the upcoming five to face Buffalo.
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