Anaheim Ducks vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game 7 Preview

Buffalo Sabres

1-5-0, 2 PTS

8th in Atlantic

Oct 17, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing

(63) looks for the puck during the second period against the Florida Panthers at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Last Game

Saturday, Oct. 18  vs. Boston Bruins

4-1 Loss

Leaders

Forwards & Defensemen

Goals: Marcus Foligno, Tyler Ennis, Zemgus Girgensons (tied with 2)

Assists: Drew Stafford (3)

Points: Drew Stafford, Marcus Foligno (tied with 3)

+/-: Zemgus Girgensons (1)

PIM: Nicolas Deslauriers (11)

Goalies

Wins: Jhonas Enroth (1)

GAA: Jhonas Enroth (3.34)

SV%: Jhonas Enroth (.907%)

Breakdown

Through only six games into the young 2014-15 season, the Buffalo Sabres have jumped off a cliff and smacked rock bottom. After finishing with a league-worst 52 points in 2013-14, Buffalo is back down there again along with Carolina Hurricanes. Granted, expectations weren’t through the roof going into this season, but fans can’t be happy with how the Sabres are losing. Out of Buffalo’s five defeats, three of them have been by four goals. In those three matchups, the Sabres have been out-shot 127-67. They have also been shutout in back-to-back games.

It has been a tough-go for head coach Ted Nolan, who called his club’s game against Anaheim “an NHL team playing a ‘peewee’ team.” His offense remains stagnant, currently ranking last (1.2 GPG, 30th) in the league. The power play is invisible as Buffalo is one of only three teams that have yet to convert with the man advantage. And on top of that, the Sabres have allowed nearly four goals per game.

Beginning with tonight’s tilt in Anaheim, the Sabres will embark on a four-game road swing and will stay in California to face Los Angeles and San Jose later this week.