The Buffalo Sabres experienced a highly disappointing season last year, extending their playoff drought to 14 years, making them one of the NHL’s weaker teams. Fans are growing weary of the ongoing losses, and if the Sabres fail to make the playoffs again next year, the current roster likely won’t remain intact.
This article, part of the “Know Your Enemies” series, evaluates the Sabres’ competition for the upcoming season, detailing how Buffalo matched up against each NHL team and predicting their performance moving forward. After examining teams from the Atlantic, major cities, and the Central division, the focus now shifts to the Calgary Flames. The Flames narrowly missed the playoffs a few times last season and made minimal roster changes. GM Craig Conroy might be supporting the existing team or possibly sees limited trading options. If the Flames’ younger players develop into above-average talents, Calgary could strengthen, but currently, Buffalo is expected to secure at least three out of four points against Calgary in their next season meetings.
New additions for the Flames include goalie Ivan Prosvetov and defenseman Nick Sisek. In the 2024-25 season series, the Sabres and Flames split their matchups one win each, with Calgary achieving slightly better overall results. The Sabres need to improve their performance against Calgary, given their goal to make the playoffs. Although Calgary has some promising young talent, progress can be unpredictable, and these players may not yet perform at an elite level.
The Sabres have consistently struggled, having missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for nearly a decade, piling significant pressure on the team to break this streak. In tight NHL races, every game matters, and Buffalo cannot afford to drop crucial points, especially to teams like Calgary. While Calgary has built a solid foundation, they lack a star player comparable to Pacific Division rivals like the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. Hence, many experts doubt Calgary’s playoff chances next season.
The Sabres must view their matchups against Calgary, especially the two games in mid-November and early December, as critical. Buffalo ended the 2024-25 season 12 points shy of a playoff spot and must improve in these head-to-head series. Losing both games to Calgary would severely harm the Sabres’ postseason hopes, particularly if the outcomes are regulation losses.
Looking beyond Calgary, the Sabres face stiff competition from top-tier teams like the Central Division champions, the Winnipeg Jets, underscoring the challenge of ending their long playoff drought. At the elite NHL level, the margin between qualifying and missing the playoffs is razor-thin. Buffalo’s management recognizes this reality and expects the team to outperform Calgary both on paper and on the ice. Failure against the Flames could jeopardize the Sabres’ entire year’s efforts.
Fan Take: This analysis highlights the pivotal role divisional matchups will play in the Sabres’ quest to reach the playoffs after years of frustration. Hockey fans should watch closely as these rivalries could redefine Buffalo’s future and add intensity to the NHL’s competitive landscape next season.
