Buffalo’s Scorching Streak; Pittsburgh’s Resurgence; the Atlantic Division Thriving, and Extra – DobberHockey

Since making the transition from former GM Kevyn Adams to Kekalainen on December 15, all of the Sabres have executed is dominate to the tune of a 15-3-1 file whereas outscoring their opposition by a staggering 74-46 margin. That is not all, AS the Sabres’ 15 wins / 31 factors in league standings / +28 objective differential throughout that very same time span high the league in every particular person class.

It does not finish there with Buffalo elevating their degree of play at each ends of the ice throughout this unbelievable run. The Sabres rank second in objectives for per sport performed at 3.89, second solely to the vaunted Tampa Bay Lightning offense (3.95 GF/GP) whereas on the identical time exhibiting some accountable defensive play rating second in objectives in opposition to per sport performed at 2.42, second solely to the stingy Utah Mammoth (2.33 GA/GP).

Buffalo’s goaltenders have been doing greater than their justifiable share as properly with each Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen enjoying their greatest hockey of the marketing campaign over the course of the final month and a half. Lyon has been on fairly a heater with an impeccable 6-0 file accompanied by a 2.00 objectives in opposition to and .927 save share along with 6.45 objectives saved above anticipated (GSAx). In the meantime, Luukkonen has been no slouch himself with a powerful 7-2-1 file accompanied by a 2.67 objectives in opposition to and .920 save share along with 11.00 objectives saved above anticipated. That’s some high-end fantasy worth for what would have primarily been, at greatest, two Zero G candidates if not on to the waiver wire.

That being stated, as talked about above, the Sabres netminders are receiving tons of run assist because it pertains to offense with plenty of gamers contributing to the workforce’s success. All of it begins with the large man Tage Thompson who has led the cost offensively with 24 factors in his final 19 video games performed whereas logging nearly 19 minutes an evening. Ryan McLeod continues to blossom right into a dependable high six ahead having placing up 17 factors of his personal in his final 19 video games performed whereas defenseman Mattias Samuelsson has been a revelation offensively through the groups run with 16 factors in his final 19 video games performed along with offering some immense protection throughout the board for banger/cat leagues. That is with out mentioning any of Alex Tuch, Jack Quinn, Rasmus Dahlin, Peyton Krebs, Josh Doan, Bowen Byram, Noah Ostlaund, Josh Norris or Jason Zucker every of whom are at or above the 0.60 level per sport threshold.

Suffice to say the Buffalo Sabres have been a wagon each offensively and defensively these final six weeks. Sabres followers rejoice!

Lastly, I wished to say the Sabres signing of Josh Doan to a long-term contract. The soon-to-be 24-year-old is a crucial signing not only for the what he brings to the ice however for me it indicators a cultural shift with Doan being precisely what the Sabres wanted presently – a hard-nosed winger with a really underrated skillset who places within the work each shift. A real gamer in each sense of the phrase.   

This subsequent matter shall be relatively common in nature, nevertheless, it is not any much less intriguing. Upon doing my deep dive on the aforementioned Buffalo Sabres, I got here throughout some attention-grabbing stats / numbers because it pertains to the Atlantic division and let me say this, the Atlantic division is an absolute arms race this 12 months.

Utilizing the identical month and a half timeframe as famous above with the Buffalo Sabres (Dec 15 – Jan 25) the Atlantic is littered atop a number of league metrics with plenty of groups throughout the division enjoying a few of their greatest hockey of the marketing campaign. Listed here are just some attention-grabbing tidbits to chew on on the subject of how aggressive it’s within the Atlantic.

Over the course of the final month and a half groups throughout the division personal 5 of the highest ten spots because it pertains to workforce information with the Sabres main the way in which with a 15-3-1 (first) file adopted by the Lightning 15-3-1 (second), Purple Wings 14-4-2 (third), Panthers 12-7-1 (seventh) and Montreal Canadiens 11-6-3 (tenth). In terms of offense the Atlantic has 5 of the highest ten scoring groups throughout that very same time-frame as properly with the Ottawa Senators who’re tied for the league lead with Edmonton at 76 objectives scored (first) adopted by the Tampa Bay Lightning with 75 objectives scored (third), Buffalo Sabres with 74 objectives scored (fifth), Montreal Canadiens with a complete of 72 objectives scored (seventh) and Pittsburgh Penguins with a complete of 70 objectives scored (tenth)

The Atlantic has been flexing their muscle on the defensive aspect of the puck as properly with three of the highest 5 groups in objectives in opposition to residing throughout the division. The Buffalo Sabres have allowed a complete of 46 objectives in opposition to (second), Tampa Bay Lightning 47 objectives in opposition to (third) and Detroit Purple Wings 50 objectives in opposition to (fifth) demonstrating that their success is just not a one trick pony.

Need a couple of additional notes on the Atlantic division? I’ve bought you lined.

• Every workforce within the division is enjoying at or above a .529 factors share this 12 months
• No workforce throughout the division has a objective differential decrease than -8 (Florida) over the course of the 2025-2026 marketing campaign
• Every workforce is enjoying .500 hockey at house and away protected for (Toronto 8-11-3 away / Boston 11-12-2 away) up to now in 2025-2026
• No workforce enjoying below .500 of their final 10 video games performed

As a staunch supporter of the Montreal Canadiens, I can not wait to see how the rest of the season performs out for the Atlantic division. One factor is for certain, every of those groups may have been battle examined come the postseason and in doing so will show to be a troublesome out on this 12 months’s playoffs.

Let’s be trustworthy, most if not all of us had just about written off the Pittsburgh Penguins this 12 months with the way wherein the workforce was at the moment constructed. Nevertheless, all of us proceed to be taught a invaluable lesson on the subject of the workforce and extra importantly its legendary captain.

By no means guess in opposition to Sidney Crosby.

The Penguins are fairly merely having fun with a stellar marketing campaign with a 26-14-11 file putting them second within the Metro division (eighth total) all whereas proudly owning a +17 objective differential (tied for sixth total).

The excellent news does not finish there with Pittsburgh rating ninth offensively at 3.29 objectives per sport performed whereas sustaining some sturdy defensive metrics rating eighth total at 2.84 objectives in opposition to per sport performed. Particular groups have been an enormous enhance to the workforce with the Penguins rating fourth total with the person benefit at 27.4% effectivity. In the meantime, the workforce’s penalty kill received’t be outdone, rating seventh total at 83.6% effectivity.

The workforce’s goaltending, as soon as considered a workforce weak point, has been the membership’s spine of late with each Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs acting at a excessive degree. Skinner has been on fireplace just lately with a 7-1 file accompanied by a miniscule 1.63 objectives in opposition to and phenomenal .933 save share along with 11.88 objectives saved above anticipated in his final eight video games performed.