Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - With 31 games remaining in the 2023-24 season, the Buffalo Sabres face a significant uphill climb in order to get back into the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
As of Tuesday, the Sabres sit 12 points back of the final two Wild Card playoff spots currently occupied by the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Buffalo will need to surpass five other teams ahead of them in order to try and make some noise in the playoff picture.
Coming out of the NHL All-Star break, the Sabres have not fared so well with two regulation losses and just two goals scored, despite a combined 82 shots on goal in those games.
The Sabres also find themselves in a predicament on the injury front now with two of their top defenseman being out of the lineup. Mattias Samuelsson will miss the remainder of the season following surgery to repair an upper-body injury, while head coach Don Granato said Tuesday that Owen Power will be out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
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With the NHL Trade Deadline set for March 8 and possibly remaining in the mix for the postseason, it could be beneficial for the Sabres to make a move to acquire some help on the blue line, and even up front to maybe add some more scoring. However, Granato is not keen on forcing any sort of move on the trade market at this time.
"I hate saying 'help' by any means, and using that word. You're always looking to get better, so I know that's the case," said Granato on Tuesday during his weekly appearance on the "Jeremy and Joe Show" on WGR. "We are looking for ways to get better, and that means any move. Is it making us better? Is it gonna move us in the direction faster than the way we want to go?"
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When it comes to offensive production, Granato knows the chances have been there for his group, but they haven't been able to capitalize on many of the shots they've created.
"If you look at events before goals, there is a lot of perimeter play. So there's a need for that if you're going to score goals. It's just getting off the perimeter at the right time, to the front of the net at the right time, in numbers, in layers," said Granato with Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase. "When we're on our game, that happens. When anybody is on their game, that's what's happening. We weren't there the other night, obviously, and didn't score enough. It is frustrating, and all you do is keep demanding and keep pushing. In the end, you've got to make sure it makes your guys better, and they gain the experience of it."
Despite creating those chances while playing at even strength, where the Sabres have struggled mightily this year is on the power play. Even though Buffalo has generated some quality chances with the man advantage, it has not led to much success on the scoresheet.
"It goes hand-in-hand, I think, with your psyche or mentality, with feeling good. There's a rhythm and a momentum to it," Granato said. "When a goal scorer starts feeling good, they're shooting with a little bit more calm or confidence in their game. I think for us, we're still pressing in that regard, trying to score the perfect goal."
Hear more from Granato's appearance during the "Jeremy and Joe Show" available in the player below:
