Despite injuries and stunning collapses, the Buffalo Sabres can actually wind up earning half of the available points in October.
Before the 2016-17 season started, I predicted the Buffalo Sabres would finish the month of October with a record of 3-3-2 and 8 points out of a possible 16.
Of course, when I made that prediction, I had no idea that both Jack Eichel and Evander would be out with injuries by the end of the Sabres’ first game . . . yet here we are, heading into Sunday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, with Buffalo sitting at 2-3-2 with 6 points.
Suddenly, what seemed impossible on opening night, and even just Thursday after the Sabres were blasted 4-0 by Minnesota, could actually happen: the Buffalo Sabres might just finish the first month of the season with a .500 points percentage.
Of course, in order to pull off that minor miracle, the Sabres will have to earn a win on the road in Winnipeg a little more than 24 hours after shutting out the Florida Panthers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
1. Get another stellar performance in net
Buffalo’s skaters will certainly be tired, since this back-to-back set is made even worse by the fact that Buffalo had to travel over 1,000 miles after playing on Saturday. You couldn’t have scheduled the second game in Toronto, Ottawa or even Montreal, eh Gary Bettman?
If the Sabres are going to win this, they will need the good version of Anders Nilsson. Overall, he’s looked solid, but he did let in a few bad-angle goals against Minnesota, but. . . wait, Robin Lehner is back in net?!?
Hmmm. Well, cross your fingers!
2. Stars gotta keep stepping up
Yesterday, I called on Buffalo’s best players to step up. They did, and they have to continue to do so.
Yeah Yeah Yeah- you need at least three solid lines to compete in the NHL. Blah blah blah. The Sabres are holding on for dear life, people! The playoffs are the last thing I’m thinking of today!
Let the big dogs carry this team on their shoulders for a bit.
I’m sitting in a hockey rink, wrapping the up, so if you’re looking for a third key to a Buffalo Sabres win, sorry to disappoint! Besides, there’s not much more to say. Man up, boys, and make my preseason prediction come true!
More from Sabre Noise
This article originally appeared on 
