Open Letter To Buffalo Sabres Fans: Don’t Panic

It hasn't been a great start to the season for the Buffalo Sabres. So far, they are just 1-3-1. They lost their first 3 games of the season, beat Florida, and then lost in overtime to Pittsburgh. They play again tonight in Columbus for their first back to back of the season as part of a 3 game road trip.

Not beat a dead horse, but the Sabers haven't made the playoffs in an NHL record 13 seasons. You're welcome for that awesome reminder, Sabres fans.

Needless to say, this slow start isn't injecting energy into an already defeated fan base. The downward spiral is already beginning, with people down on the new coach Lindy Ruff, down on the Sabres's alleged star players, and back to calling for Kevin Adams to be fired and Terry Pegula to sell the team.

I get it. I've been there, but I'm not there yet. Mind you, I reserve the right to get there at some point if things don't improve. However, I'm not down on them right now. Here' why:

Sabres Have a Difficult Schedule

This isn't an easy way to begin a season. Their first 2 games were in Prague, against Stnaley Cup contender New Jersey. They come home to the Kings, who aren't good but were the benefactors of good goaltending that night. They play the defending Stnaley Cup CHampions who have injuries and they beat easily, then they go on a 3 game road trip that includes a back to back. UPL id them no favors last night in the loss, too.

That kind of travel is hard. I know we don't think athletes are human, and I generally don't feel bad for them myself, but the time changes, traveling, and the opponents haven't been easy.

New Coach Means New System

While we all know Lindy Ruff from his previous years here, the team doesn't. Lindy is not Don Granato. He has a totally different style, and it's going to take this group a minute to get it working consistently. Let's be honest: when they do it, they look really good. They are fast, tough, and have something called a forecheck, which is apparently something good teams do. We wouldn't know, as it's been a long time since they were good, or if they did this forechecking thing. (This is sarcasm, BTW)

It's Just Too Early to Panic

This game isn't football. There are 82 regular season games. Yes, they all matter, but not in the same way. Not every game is life and death. The problem with this team is they have been on massively long losing and pointless streaks over the past 13 years. They wouldn't even get a loser point (go to OT) for weeks. Those points matter. In fact, if they could have gotten to overtime a few more times in the last 2 seasons, the playoff drought would be over. Despite last night's game being frustrating, they did get a point out of it. That's better than nothing. 

Road trips with back-to-backs are also hard. Your hope is to come home with 3 or 4 points on a 3-game road trip. So, if they win tonight or Saturday in Chicago, they will have succeeded. Then they are home for four games in a row.

Home games have been a pain point for this team for many years: they lose at home too often. You should be encouraged by their first two home games, though. Both performances were dominant; they just had bad luck against LA. That's just hockey sometimes.

The point here is don't panic yet. Sure, be frustrated with the losses, but be encouraged that the pieces seem to be there, as does the hustle. Lindy Ruff has a lot to break these players of. All they need to do is go on a little winning streak, and everything will be fine. Being .500 at the end of this month with a team getting to know a new system and having a difficult initial schedule would be a win.

Let's agree to panic not if they lose at Columbus tonight but if, in 2 weeks, they only have 1 or 2 wins. Then we might have an issue.

What do you think? Are you panicking? Pat@WBUF.com

Pat McMahon can be heard on Buffalo's Real Rock, 92.9 WBUF weekdays from 10 am to 3 pm.