Playoff Post-Mortem, Buffalo Sabres

Series Summary

A top 5 team in the league goes out via the gentleman’s sweep, only managing to take game 4 and delay the inevitable. After the Islanders won back-to-back close games on the road, they all but wrapped things up with a dominating 7-1 victory in game 3.

Who Showed Up

Tyler Johnson (2G, 2A, +3) was the clear pick here, being the only Sabre to score multiple goals over the five game series. Jake Oettinger (1-1-0, 0.915 SV%) also gets a nod after coming on in relief in game 3 and earning the Sabres’ only win of the series, but it was too little too late.

Who Didn’t

Semyon Varlamov (0-2-1, 0.854 SV%) had a strong game 1, and then fell apart in games 2 and 3, allowing a combined 9 goals on 48 shots (0.813 SV%) before getting the hook in the third period of game 3. The team also had to expect more from Troy Terry, who was held off the scoresheet entirely while playing in the top 6 the whole series and even earning some PP1 time.

Offseason Preview: UFA

The Sabres will have some decisions to make this offseason, with 5 UFAs on the current Pro roster set to expire. Does Tyson Barrie’s 58 point season earn him an extension? Or do they look to go cheaper with Ryan Graves, Troy Terry, William Carrier, and Jake Oettinger all needing new RFA deals?

Offseason Preview: Entry Draft

The Sabres own 6 picks in the upcoming draft, not having one of their own until the 5th round. Do they look to continue their wheeling and dealing ways and try to turn the pair of 2nd round picks they own into present help? Or do they spend those picks to fill in their prospect pool?

Offseason Preview: Expansion Draft

7 F: Chris Kreider, Tyler Johnson, Mikael Granlund, Sam Reinhart, Mathew Barzal, Troy Terry, Sammy Blais

3 D: Tyson Barrie, Ryan Graves, Ryan Ellis

1 G: Jake Oettinger

Potentially Available: Colin Blackwell, William Carrier, Nate Schmidt, Niko Mikkola, Semyon Varlamov