Heading into the three day Christmas break, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Ottawa Senators with a 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. With the key divisional win, the Sabres extended their winning streak to seven games. Sustainability is still a big-picture question mark. Will and effort are not.
“I think when we have every guy going, all twenty of us, you don’t know who is going to score on each night,” said winger Alex Tuch. “We have everyone contributing, we have everyone playing good defense. We’re not giving up too much, it’s winning hockey.”
“This is what we’ve been building towards and this is the type of hockey we’re going to have to play if we want to make a push. You see maturity, you see each individual sacrificing, just doing the right thing. I’m proud of this group, it’s been awesome to see. “
Sabres leaving the cellar behind
After spending much of the season at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves back in the hunt for a playoff position. They sit just two points out of the final wildcard position and three points out of third place in the Atlantic division.
It is a time of transition in Buffalo. With Kevyn Adams being relieved of his duties as general manager on December 15th and Jarmo Kekalainen taking over the GM chair the team has responded with its best stretch of the season.
The Sabres closed out the last three games of Adams’ tenure with road victories over Edmonton, Vancouver and Seattle.
The beginning of the Kekalainen era has energized the group and the team continues to win games.
So far so good under Kekalainen
While all facets of the organization are still under scrutiny under Kekalainen, the air of change and what the future may hold has had a positive impact so far.
Goaltender Alex Lyon has been outstanding during this stretch, giving the Sabres key saves at critical points in games.
The team has bought into the way head coach Lindy Ruff wants them to play. An ability to win tight games and hold late game leads during this seven game run has Buffalo moving up the standings and very much in the postseason conversation.
Follow Dave on X: @dave-reichert
On Facebook: facebook.com/dave.reichert.98
