On the outside looking in of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the Buffalo Sabres need these three things to happen ..."/> On the outside looking in of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the Buffalo Sabres need these three things to happen ..."/> On the outside looking in of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the Buffalo Sabres need these three things to happen ..."/>
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Heres’s what the Buffalo Sabres need to do to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs

By Derek Grochowski

CALGARY, AB - JANUARY 16: Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Marco Scandella (6) high-fives Defenceman Jake McCabe (19) after beating the Calgary Flames 4-3 in overtime on January 16, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - JANUARY 16: Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Marco Scandella (6) high-fives Defenceman Jake McCabe (19) after beating the Calgary Flames 4-3 in overtime on January 16, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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On the outside looking in of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the Buffalo Sabres need these three things to happen in the final 34 games of the season.

If you told Buffalo Sabres fans, in September, that after the Allstar break the team would be four points out of the playoffs most would be thrilled. However, after looking like a legitimate top team in the league during a ten game winning streak the Sabres fell hard. At times showing signs of the reverting back to last season when they finished worst in the league. That early season optimism disappeared quickly.

The important thing is that through the amazing highs and devastating lows this season the playoffs are still in reach for the Buffalo Sabres. If the team is going to rally in the second half and make the playoffs things need to change. It is easy to sit back and look at trades that could be made to bring in fresh players but these three examples are all things within the current organization that can make this team good enough for the playoffs.

BUFFALO, NY – DECEMBER 31: Conor Sheary #43 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders during an NHL game on December 31, 2018 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – DECEMBER 31: Conor Sheary #43 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders during an NHL game on December 31, 2018 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Secondary scoring

To say the Sabres are a one-line team is an understatement. Outside of the Sabres top line, who have combined for 140 points, there is only one other forward with 20 points on the roster. That player is 38-year-old winger Jason Pominville who collected 18 in the first two months of the season and just two since. Someone in the lineup needs to start contributing on a regular basis and there are plenty of players that are capable.

Starting with the veterans on the roster there is Kyle Okposo and Conor Sheary. Okposo was signed to a signed to a seven-year $42,000,000 contract after the 2016 season has not delivered this season. With just 19 points in 48 games, he has found himself demoted to the fourth line.

Okposo has been bounced all around the lineup and has yet to find strong chemistry with anyone. If the Sabres can get him going in the second half of the season and get him back to the 50 point plateau their playoff odds would see a big increase.

Meanwhile, Conor Sheary was brought to Buffalo in an offseason trade. The hope was that Sheary could provide some speed to the lower part of the Sabres lineup and continue the offensive development he was showing in Pittsburgh.

The injection of speed has been noticeable but the points just have not been there for Sheary like many were hoping. A second-half explosion would be perfect for the Sabres as they are desperate for secondary scoring.

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