2023-24 Prediction: Buffalo Sabres to have strong February? Part II
Following Sion’s prediction that the Buffalo Sabres will enjoy a strong first half of February 2024, will that trend continue in the second half?
In the first half of February 2024, I projected the Buffalo Sabres to enjoy a strong outing, finishing the first half of the month 4-1-1. Will that continue into the second half of February, or will the Sabres see some turbulence that I projected them to experience in October and the first part of November?
The Sabres embark on a two-game road trip following the Anaheim game. And they will split, taking the one against Montreal, but dropping the outing with Columbus.
The Canadiens are in rebuilding mode this season, and the Sabres are at least two laps ahead of them. But the Blue Jackets could be better than many anticipate, explaining the Sabres stumble.
Will the Buffalo Sabres keep up the projected momentum in February 2024?
The Blue and Gold will find themselves playing a home game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes on February 25th, leading to their second straight loss. However, the Sabres played the ‘Canes tough once last season at home, so they will at least pick up a point here.
Buffalo ends the month in Florida against the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. This should be the time of the year when the defending Eastern Conference Champions are healthy and building on-ice chemistry. Therefore, the Panthers will take it in a blowout win.
However, the Lightning are an older team. And with the Atlantic Division slated to be more competitive this season with the Buffalo Sabres and possibly the Ottawa Senators on the rise, Tampa could backslide during the latter portions of the season. Therefore, the younger Sabres take this one in overtime, ending February on a high note.
Through 60 games, the Blue and Gold have accumulated a projected 76 points, putting them on-pace for 104 on the year and a plus 13 differential from 2022-23. However, there is still a month-and-a-half to go in the regular season, and we all know what happened to the Sabres last year.
- Record through the second half of February: 2-2-1 (5 points)
- Overall Record: 35-19-6 (76 points)
