Sabres Set Sail to Subdue Kraken in Seattle Showdown
As the Buffalo Sabres prepare for their upcoming clash against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena, fans are cautiously optimistic. The Sabres' recent performances have been a mixed bag, but there's reason to believe they can turn the tide in this next encounter.
In their last game on March 8 against the Nashville Predators, Buffalo managed to net two goals from 28 shots, translating to a shooting percentage of seven percent. However, they fell short defensively, allowing four goals from just 24 shots—a stark reminder that tightening up at the back will be crucial against Seattle. The faceoff win percentage stood at 46 percent that night; an area where improvement could tip the scales in favor of BUF.
The powerplay opportunities didn't bear fruit for Buffalo during that game as they failed to capitalize on any of their three chances. This is an aspect where there's significant room for growth—especially considering that converting these moments into goals could be decisive in close matchups.
On March 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite a valiant effort which saw them force overtime and secure one point with a shooting percentage of four percent from 25 shots, it was not enough as they ultimately succumbed to an overtime loss. Their faceoff win rate was even lower than before at just 39 percent—an issue that has been consistently problematic and needs addressing if they hope to control games more effectively.
However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for BUF when looking back at their home game on March 4 versus the Winnipeg Jets. Despite losing with five points conceded including two empty-netters which inflated the goal differential—their goaltender made an impressive thirty saves out of thirty-three shots reflecting a save percentage rounding up to one hundred percent before those empty-net goals were scored late in the third period.
The Sabres' resilience is commendable; however, consistency remains elusive. They'll need more than grit and determination when facing SEA—a team known for its robust defensive play and ability to capitalize on mistakes.
Seattle will undoubtedly pose a tough challenge but if Buffalo can leverage its strengths—like improving faceoff performance and capitalizing on powerplay opportunities—they stand a chance at stealing victory away from home ice.
Fans eager not only for victory but also redemption should mark their calendars: The puck drops between Buffalo Sabres and Seattle Kraken on March 18th at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Tune into ESPN+, MSG-B or ROOT Sports NW at 10:00 PM Eastern Time (7:00 PM local time) for what promises to be an enthralling encounter between these two teams hungry for success.