Can the Buffalo Sabres Harness the Wild Energy at Xcel Energy Center?

As the Buffalo Sabres prepare to face off against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center, fans are eager to see if their team can carry forward their recent momentum. The Sabres have shown a mixed bag of results in their last few games, with a stunning victory followed by a tough loss.

In their most recent match-up, the Sabres displayed an impressive offensive performance on home ice against Toronto Maple Leafs, netting nine goals and winning 9-3. Their shooting percentage was an extraordinary 26 percent, and they capitalized on powerplay opportunities. However, faceoff win percentage stood at only 42 percent – an area that could use improvement.

The game before that saw them fall to Columbus Blue Jackets with a scoreline of 4-9. Despite putting up four goals themselves, they allowed nine past them – indicating some defensive vulnerabilities that need addressing. They did better in faceoffs this time around with a win percentage of 55 percent but were outplayed in other areas.

Looking back further to their encounter with New York Rangers, it was another close contest where they lost in overtime by one goal (3-4). They managed to keep up throughout regular time but ultimately fell short during overtime play.

As we approach this upcoming game on February 17th at Xcel Energy Center against Minnesota Wild – who will be defending home advantage – it's crucial for Buffalo Sabres to tighten up defensively while maintaining their offensive prowess. Special teams will likely play a significant role again; thus executing well during powerplays and penalty kills could be decisive.

Sabres fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ or tune into BSWI channel 669 or MSG-B channel 635-1 for local broadcasts starting from 22:00 UTC. Will our team rise above challenges and secure another victory? Only time will tell as we eagerly await puck drop in St. Paul!