Tonight the Buffalo Sabres close out their season at home against the New York Islanders. As it has been in past years, the Sabres rallied late in the year for a playoff berth but were unable to claim the sought after eighth spot. Many questions surround the team headed into next year and there is an air of uncertainty surrounding tonight’s game, but mainly there is the frustration of another disappointing season.
Buffalo’s opponent tonight, the New York Islanders, are the team that claimed the desired eight seed. They finished off the latter half of the season strong and are 6-1-3 in their past 10 games. While Buffalo was hot on their tail for a little while during their run at the playoffs, the Sabres now sit in 12th, eight points back of the Islanders.
There’s always a subdued atmosphere at the last home game of the year. The overwhelming disappointment mixes with the realization that this is the last time the Sabres will play until October leaves a mellower crowd. There is also much speculation on what changes will occur before the next year.
At the tail end of the season, coming as a result of trade deadline deals, the Sabres waved goodbye to defensemen Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold. Even more notably they traded away their captain Jason Pominville, who was certainly a fan favorite and by most standards a good player for Buffalo. It is clear that the winds of change are blowing through the franchise.
It was rumored during the trade deadline that Buffalo was trying to find a new home for Drew Stafford, whether or not this is true it would not be surprising considering the shake up the team is experiencing. A main talking point of tonights game is Ryan Miller.
It is his 500th career game with the team and many believe his last. It has been reported that he has put the town home he owned almost his entire career in Buffalo up for sale. Whether or not that means he is headed out is uncertain, but giving the moves already made it would once again not be surprising
What Buffalo does have going for it is a young group of talent that will only grow and expand as time goes on. Players like Cody Hodgson, Tyler Ennis, Mark Psysk, etc. show promise of developing into great players for Buffalo. In addition to this, the Sabres are in a good position for the 2013 NHL entry draft with two picks in each the first and second rounds. Whether or not all these picks will be used or traded for more pieces it is also uncertain, but the Sabres undoubtedly have the resources to build their team to once again become contenders.
The Islanders are playing for momentum, Buffalo is playing for pride. After a strong showing against the conference’s top team in Pittsburgh, it is clear that Buffalo will not roll over just because they have been eliminated from contention.
The last Sabres game begins at 7 p.m. and will be aired on MSG.