Oh, no, here we go again. The 4-0-1 Buffalo Sabres are off to a hot start and could emerge as a spoiler in the top-heavy Atlantic Division. Forgive us if you've heard this before, then ended the season disappointed. This year, maybe, could it be for real?
This once-proud fanbase is desperate to win. Buffalo routinely ranks among the top TV markets for the Stanley Cup playoffs -- despite the Sabres' most recent appearance coming in the 2010-11 season. The Cup-less Sabres last appeared in a conference championship in 1999. Since winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2010, Buffalo has posted two winning seasons and has cycled through six coaches.