Among other issues, the Sabres’ blueline isn’t getting the job done

The downward spiral in Western New York continues…at least for the hockey team.

After giving away a lead and losing 5-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday evening, the Buffalo Sabres have lost 10 straight games, with no end in sight.

While fingers can be pointed any way you please- at general manager Kevyn Adams or head coach Lindy Ruff- the team on the ice isn’t performing well enough to even be considered a threat to make it to the playoffs. This, despite hopes coming into the 2024-25 campaign that the team was capable of ending the franchise’s 13-year postseason drought.

One of the team’s notable weaknesses is defense. While Ukko-Pekka Luukonen is doing everything he can to keep his team in games, his teammates in front of him aren’t doing him any favors. Former first-overall pick Owen Power looks like a liability in his own zone, while Mattias Samuelsson and Henrik Jokiharju are certainly underwhelming.

Over this 10-game losing skid, the Sabres have been outscored 39-23, giving up an average of almost four goals per game. Overall, Buffalo has allowed 104 goals this season, which is the 26th-worst in the NHL.

On Monday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discuss why the D-corps in Buffalo are one of the notable reasons the Sabres are faltering.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Looking at the number of goals they’ve given up right now- five, four, three, five, five- it’s not pretty in Buffalo…That blueline was supposed to be this big strength for them, but it has been far from it this season.

Frank Seravalli: That’s the most surprising part because I think, on paper, you look at those guys–Power, Dahlin, Samuelsson is supposed to be your shutdown guy. Same mistakes, time after time, with a group that cannot defend. No goalie can be successful with the play that they’ve had in front of him.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…