The Buffalo Sabres haven't qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011 and their roster has dealt with an endless wave of injuries throughout training camp and the preseason. Yet, there's still an air of optimism around the team ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Daily Faceoff placed the Sabres in the "on the bubble" tier of its latest NHL power rankings ahead of the league's Opening Night on Tuesday. Buffalo opens the regular season Thursday when it welcomes the New York Rangers to the KeyBank Center.
"My biggest concern is their goaltending, both with how the injury to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen affects them but also whether Luukkonen is even the real deal," Daily Faceoff's Scott Maxwell wrote.