Throughout the entire season, the Buffalo Sabres consistently struggled with slow starts, struggling to score early, and failing to dominate their opponents. The team has notably been among the weakest in the league during the initial period, and this unfavorable trend persisted in their recent game against the San Jose Sharks on Monday.
While the slow starts were deemed unacceptable earlier, the current situation presents a different challenge as they go up against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks, often considered the most injury-plagued team in the NHL, have only accumulated 28 points this season. Additionally, Chicago ranks 31st in goals scored, managing only 99 at an average of 2.25 per game. Defensively, they have allowed 159 goals, averaging 3.61 per game, placing them 30th in the league in this regard.
The Blackhawks’ offensive struggles are evident, having scored multiple goals in a game only three times this calendar year, resulting in a goal differential of 22 to 12 in 2024. Calculating their average goals per game since January 2nd, it comes down to 1.5, primarily attributed to the absence of key players like Connor Bedard, Nick Foligno, and Tyler Johnson due to injuries.
Considering these factors, the Buffalo Sabres must avoid a slow start on Wednesday night against one of the NHL’s weakest teams. The Blackhawks, currently facing significant lineup challenges, played a game the night before and had to travel to Buffalo. Being in the latter half of a back-to-back scenario, they are likely to be fatigued after their shootout against the Sharks. Given these circumstances, it becomes crucial for the Sabres to capitalize on the vulnerabilities of their opponent and secure a strong start in the game.
