The Buffalo Sabres looked like they were heading into another season of despair.
But then, all of a sudden, they found themselves on a winning streak.
On Tuesday night, the Sabres won their seventh game in a row. It’s their longest win streak since 2018.
They go into Christmas feeling good about life.
“I’m just happy we can go into the break with a smile on our faces,” Bowen Byram told reporters after Tuesday night’s win over the Senators.
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The Sabres are now up to 40 points through 36 games, with a record of 18-14-4.
That’s only good for seventh place in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, but it’s about as bunched up as can be. Detroit is in first place with 47 points, and everyone else is jumbled between the Red Wings and the Sabres (aside from the last place Maple Leafs on 37 points).
In the wild card race, they’re just two points behind the Florida Panthers for the second wild-card spot.
Buffalo will get to enjoy the holiday, but when they come back to the ice, the Sabres will be playing meaningful hockey.
They’re at home on Saturday against the Boston Bruins.
“This is what we’ve been building towards and this is the type of hockey we’re going to have to continue to play if we want to make a push,” Alex Tuch told reporters after Tuesday’s game. “You see the maturity. You see each individual sacrificing and just doing the right thing. I’m proud of this group.”
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