$5 Takeaways From Buffalo Sabres\' Early-Season Play$

5 Takeaways From Buffalo Sabres' Early-Season Play

By Douglas Smith

5 Takeaways From Buffalo Sabres' Early-Season Play

5 Early Season Takeaways From Buffalo Sabres — It was bound to be a tough year for the Buffalo Sabres, but the level of play has been worse than imagined. Buffalo seems to be in a constant state of flux, but a plan must be put into place for the 2015-16 season. Buffalo still has a long way to go this year, but what has the early season told us about what to expect in the next 65 games?

5. Don't Expect Many Goals

Brian Flynn

5. Don't Expect Many Goals

Brian Flynn2 — Only 10 Sabres players have scored a goal. Drew Stafford, Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons have accounted for 58 percent of the goals thus far. They are averaging 1.1 goals per game, which is last in the league. Buffalo has suffered five shutouts.

4. Will Finish Top Three in Penalty Minutes

Buffalo Sabres Penalty Minutes

4. Will Finish Top Three in Penalty Minutes

Buffalo Sabres Penalty Minutes2 — When a team continues to lose, the frustration builds. This leads to bad decisions and penalties committed. Buffalo currently leads the league with 244 penalty minutes. They are tied for the lead with 12 major penalties, which are all for fighting. Buffalo is fighting about every 86 minutes.

3. Will Finish Bottom Three in Goals Against

Goals Against Buffalo Sabres

3. Will Finish Bottom Three in Goals Against

Goals Against Buffalo Sabres2 — It should be no surprise that the Sabres will have one of the worst goals against statistics this year. They currently have the second-worst rating in the league at 3.47 goals against per game. However, they have allowed a league-high 59 goals. Pittsburgh has scored 11 goals against Buffalo in two games while St. Louis, Chicago, Anaheim and Boston have all scored at least four.

2. It's Okay to Feel Bad for the Goalies

Michal Neuvirth

2. It's Okay to Feel Bad for the Goalies

Michal Neuvirth2 — Both Michal Neuvirth and Jhonas Enroth have a goals against average over three. They are facing nearly 37 shots per game. The Sabres are being out shot by an average of 14 per game. Neuvirth and Enroth can only do so much with that much rubber flying their way.

1. The Connor McDavid Pick is In

Connor McDavid

1. The Connor McDavid Pick is In

Connor McDavid2 — It will be a surprise if any team finishes worse than Buffalo, thus clinching the No. 1 pick in the 2015 Draft to pick up McDavid. The Erie Otters forward is currently nursing a broken hand, but has long been the expected first pick in next summer's entry draft. Before the fight that put him out, McDavid had 51 points in just 18 games.

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Buffalo Sabres

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