Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - For a second-straight year under head coach Lindy Ruff, the Buffalo Sabres are off to an ugly 0-3-0 start to the season.
Much like last season, the Sabres have failed to find ways of putting the puck in the back of the net, despite possessing the young firepower to score and compete. Through three games, Buffalo has been outscored 10-2 and is facing an average of 33.7 shots per-game, despite being on the positive end of shot attempts.
Following Monday's latest loss to the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center, several Sabres fans exiting the arena downtown expressed their frustrations with the team.
"Obviously it's been an ugly start. We're 0-3 with two goals in three games, and there's no high points. I mean, it's tough to watch. We're a step behind just in every direction," said Kevin from Portville in an interview with WBEN.
Trevor from Buffalo is frustrated with how It seems the Sabres do not want to be out there playing.
"The atmosphere inside reflects that. It's dead in there. It's like basically being in a library watching them play," said Steve from East Amherst with WBEN. "We left early, because we knew there was no chance they were going to come back."
"It's been a rough start," added Liam from Akron. "I've been to two of the three games so far. I came to open night and found myself cheering for the Rangers at the end of it. It was a tough loss. The goal scoring is a big issue. Getting the puck in the back of the net is the biggest issue with the Sabres right now. I mean, only getting two goals... the puck in the net is a big issue."
For fans like Mike from Orchard Park, he feels everything that can be going wrong for the Sabres, is.
"We have no defense, no offense, no nothing. We're not even like in 6-6 games anymore. We have no offense, no defense, no nothing," Mike Paige said with WBEN. "We're an embarrassment to the sport of hockey. It's a shamble, is what it is. The team is in shambles."
Another factor that has led the Sabres in the wrong direction to start the year is injuries to some key players. Among those out of the lineup due to injury include forwards Josh Norris, Zach Benson and Jordan Greenway, as well as defenseman Michael Kesselring and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
"We've got a lot of injuries. Obviously injuries play a key, and some of these guys that we've got in the offseason haven't even played yet. It's tough," said Mike Byrne with WBEN. "People have got paper bags over their heads in there."
As for Kevin, he feels it's a clear lack of talent that is Buffalo's biggest problem, compared to several other teams across the NHL.
"We just don't match up. You look at tonight with the Avs, they've got studs everywhere. What do we got? We got nothing," Kevin said.
"They just don't have enough talent to compete in the National Hockey League," Steve echoed.
Other fans are more critical of those atop the organization, including Byrne, who feels it's on owner Terry Pegula to right the ship.
"He's not going to bring in a president of hockey operations, and that's what they need. They need somebody who's really smart at this game and knows what the hell they're doing. Obviously, this ain't happening right now, unfortunately," Byrne said.
While it is just three games into an 82-game campaign for the Sabres, do fans feel there is a need for sweeping changes, especially since the talk for much of the offseason was formulating a team that's tougher to play against? Many of them do feel something needs to be done.
"GM, coach, something needs to change in that higher up. I fully don't believe it's the players, it hasn't been the players in the past," said Liam.
"Look where the franchise is at. We're just lost, we're nowhere. We were just talking about, who would want to come play here with just the culture of no success? So yes, sweeping changes, sure," Kevin added.
The Sabres next return to game action on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center against the Ottawa Senators. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.
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