The Buffalo Sabers have made a name for themselves as a young, dynamic and offensive team during the 2022-2023 season, as evidenced by their 293 goals scored, which ranks them third in the National Hockey League (NHL).
But this season, despite being young, the New York State team sits 23rd in the Bettman rankings with 13 goals scored. while the Sabers are 28th in the league at 2.17.
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The team’s leading scorer last season, Tage Thompson, has only scored one meager goal in six games played. We are a long way from the 47 goals and 94 points in 78 duels last year.
“It’s frustrating, but I think if we allow the negativity, we’ll never get out of it,” the 6-foot-1 center said after the Sabers’ 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. Goals come in sequences. We just have to play right every shift.”
During the game against the Habs, the Sabers scored just one goal on 37 shots aimed at the net defended by Jake Allen.
“That’s why this defeat hurts so much, but there’s nothing we can do about it. “We have to keep playing like this,” Thompson added. In my opinion, it’s been two games since we’ve been able to put the other team at risk. If we continue like this, it will be a recipe for success.
Despite the numerous shots, the Sabers only created eight scoring chances that were classified as dangerous, according to data from Natural Stat Trick.
Definitely score a goal
Thompson isn’t the only Saber struggling to get to the net early in the season. Alex Tuch, who scored 36 goals last season, has still not opened his account. The same goes for Victor Olofsson, who had 28 hits in the 2022-2023 season.
“When you’re having trouble scoring, you have to go to the net more,” Sabers head coach Don Granato said. You have to be ready to score goals that are not elegant and that you have to work hard for. This is how we will get through this.”
Jeff Skinner, who scored his third goal of the season on Monday night, believes these difficult times will ultimately be good for the Sabres.
“The other teams won’t give us a chance to advance,” said number 53. “We have to earn it.”
The Sabers have won just two of six games this season, including just one in regulation time. They play their next game on Tuesday evening against the Senators in Ottawa.