5 NHL teams that missed the 2019 playoffs but will clinch in 2020
By Kyle McKenna
1. Buffalo Sabres
Finally, the Buffalo Sabres will clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs after failing to for the past eight seasons.
The Sabres are currently atop of the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division standings, and that won’t be short-lived either. After years of attempting to collect draft picks and rebuild – the Sabres have an exciting and talented squad to cheer on.
No, the Sabres might not win the Atlantic, but Buffalo is set to clinch a berth in the playoffs and be a potential threat to make a run past the first round come April. Captain Jack Eichel has another year of professional hockey under his belt and his development is on pace to take another big step forward; after the former No. 2 overall draft pick (2015) was over a point-per-game skater last season (28g-54a-82PTS; 77 games).
The youngster on the blue line in Rasmus Dahlin has portrayed he’s years ahead of his time, as the 19-year-old appears already appears stronger with or without the puck and hasn’t had any problems collecting points on a nightly basis.
Swedish forward Victor Olofsson has been the pleasant surprise and x-factor that Buffalo has arguably been missing for the past eight seasons, and the former seventh-round draft-pick has proven just how effective he can be while playing alongside Eichel.
Olofsson has six goals on the year and all of which have come on the team’s power play. Buffalo has depth and weapons in all areas on the ice and its speed is the best it’s been in over a decade.
Similar to other teams on this list, the Sabres’ goaltending situation is one question mark potentially holding back the team. Still, Carter Hutton is off to a hot start and has proved that he can still compete as an everyday goaltender.
It’s a fun and exciting time to be a Buffalo sports fan … shocking!
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