2010-2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Regular Season Assessment: Buffalo Sabres
There was not a single team other than Buffalo Sabres, during the 2010-2011 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, which showed so much improvement, in such little time near the end, close to the playoffs, but again, not every team got a new billionaire
owner taking over all of their affairs.
Before Pennsylvanian billionaire, Terry Pegula, took over as the teams’ new owner, Buffalo Sabres were on the verge of extinction and well below the top eight ranking of the Eastern Conference. Having teams like Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens in the
same North East Division was a challenge on its own, but Buffalo overcame it during the final moments.
This could be easily observed by looking at their losing streak in the opening month of the 2010-2011 regular season in October, as they managed to win only three out of 12 games throughout the whole month.
There was gradual improvement in their game as the season progressed, which was ultimately bound to happen as they faced struggling teams like Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. It was during February, when Pegula took over, that really made Sabres
shine in front of the entire league.
Buffalo won six out of 12 matchups in February to improve its position followed by another 10 out of 15 in March and finalised the season by winning four straight out of five games during the final month in April.
They finished third overall in the North East Division, below Boston and tied with Montreal, while their ranking overall in the East was an impressive seventh place, ahead of the rowdy New York Rangers by three points, with 96.
Sabres 82-game record was a surprising, 43-29-10, with a home record of 21-16-4 and away record of 22-13-6.
Left wing, Thomas Vanek, remained their Buffalo’s top contributor during the regular season as he put up a marvellous 73 points (32 goals, 41 assists) in 80 games played, while maintaining a plus-minus rating of two. The 27-year-old still remains a part
of the Buffalo franchise and will be entering his seventh straight season with them ever since his selection as the fifth overall candidate during the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Buffalo’s goalie, Ryan Miller remained uptight for the team and was one of the top contributing forces, which ultimately led to where they finished off after winning 34 matchups and having participated in a total of 66.
The best part of being a Buffalo Sabres fan would be that the next 2011-2012 season is expected to be manifolds in terms of interesting and thrilling with a new and renovated team out to win a Stanley Cup championship.
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