Buffalo Sabres: 5 Observations for the All-Star break
By Paul Taylor
As the majority of the Buffalo Sabres enjoy a much-needed break, we share five thoughts from the first half of the 2018-19 season.
Perception can be a funny thing, especially in the world of professional sports. Depending on your perspective, the Buffalo Sabres‘ break came at either the worst or best possible time.
When the Sabres lost 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 18, it represented their fourth loss in five games, with the solitary win coming courtesy of overtime. For some, the break was much-needed; for others, the team needed to get back on the ice as soon as possible to try and get out of their funk.
In any event the break did come, giving everyone the opportunity to reflect on what was essentially the first half of the Sabres’ season. And overall, we would say it’s been a decent campaign so far for the team from Western New York.
This is highlighted by a couple of high-profile pieces of news. The first is that Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner will both play in the All-Star Game, making this the first time the Sabres have had two representatives since 2007.
The second piece of positive news, is that Skinner and Rasmus Dahlin feature in the Professional Hockey Writers Association’ midseason awards. They have both been voted second in the Comeback Player of the Year and Calder Trophy balloting respectively.
Of course, midseason awards and All-Star selections only begin to tell the story. Let’s get to our five observations from the first 48 games of the Sabres’ season.