Jason Robertson (left); Bowen Byram (right) -- (Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/03eee90b-0958-4e55-aa5a-be9b55c42d9e.jpeg] Jason Robertson (left); Bowen Byram (right) -- (Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Images) The Buffalo Sabres have little room for error next season as they attempt to end a 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought -- and that means they need to beat above-average teams. That includes the Dallas Stars, who the Sabres [http://thn.com/buffalo] will take on twice this coming year. The Stars are one of the deepest, most well-balanced teams in the NHL, and while they haven't made a slew of changes after falling in the Western Conference final once again, Dallas is going to be a handful for any opponent, including the Sabres. And as part of THN.com's "Know Your Enemy" series, we're looking at every Buffalo opponent next year. We've been moving through the highly-competitive Central Division, and in today's file, we're breaking down Buffalo's chances against the Stars [http://thn.com/dallas]. Let's get to it: "The Wraparound" BUFFALO SABRES VS. DALLAS STARS NEW STARS PLAYERS: Radek Faksa, C 2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-1-0, Stars 1-1-0 2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: December 31 at Dallas; April 15 at Buffalo CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? The Sabres and Stars faced off twice last season, with both games coming by the end of the calendar year 2024. The teams split the series, with Buffalo winning the first game by a 4-2 score, then Dallas winning the second game by the same score. But with the Sabres' struggles, there was no sense these two teams were as good as each franchise was when the Sabres and Stars squared off in the 1998-1999 Stanley Cup final. Indeed, the Stars have been one of the top franchises in the league in recent years, even if they've only gotten back to the Cup final once since they won it in '98-99. And of course, the Sabres have been one of the worst organizations in the league for nearly a decade-and-a-half. This season, though, presents a fresh start opportunity for Buffalo. And unlike last season, when the teams were done with each other early on, the Sabres and Stars won't have their first game until New Year's Eve in Texas. Then, their second showdown comes in mid-April, in the Sabres' final regular-season game of the year. Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Does Buffalo Have Any Hope To Beat Powerhouse Colorado Avalanche? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/fb65c387-3bdb-4bc8-82ac-31836de0fedf.jpeg] Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Does Buffalo Have Any Hope To Beat Powerhouse Colorado Avalanche? The Buffalo Sabres play in the NHL's toughest division in the Atlantic Division -- but the 2025-26 schedule isn't going to do them any favors. <a href="http://thn.com/buffalo">THN.com's Sabres site</a> has been publishing a team-by-team look at Buffalo's opponents next year -- and in today's file, we're continuing our look at the Sabres' chances against the Central Division-juggernaut Colorado Avalanche. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/know-your-enemy-sabres-central-edition-does-buffalo-have-any-hope-to-beat-powerhouse-colorado-avalanche] That could mean a couple of things: first, the Stars and Sabres may be significantly different between that first game and the second tilt. If both teams have positive results during the season, that second game could spell the difference between Buffalo making and missing the playoffs. And it could also mean the difference between the Stars securing home-ice advantage and finishing third or fourth in the Central. If we're being honest, we have to say we see the Stars as the superior team next year. Dallas' balance of young stars still approaching their prime and veterans intent on a deep playoff run makes the Stars one of the most dangerous squads in the league. But Dallas is exactly the type of team Buffalo needs to conquer if the Sabres are going to rise out of the bottom of the Atlantic Division and carve out a post-season berth for themselves. The Sabres have to prove to skeptics they're ready to take the next competitive step before anyone actually believes they're capable of doing so. That may sound cynical, but talk to any of Buffalo's long-suffering fans, and you'll see exactly why Sabres fans are so cynical. Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Will Blackhawks Stun Buffalo In Their Showdowns Next Year? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ef7dcf31-55a1-42c7-a480-8e63ad814e7d.jpeg] Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Will Blackhawks Stun Buffalo In Their Showdowns Next Year? The Buffalo Sabres' schedule has been out for some time now, and it's always fun to examine the Sabres' opponents by breaking down their showdowns against each of the NHL's 31 other teams. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/know-your-enemy-sabres-central-edition-will-blackhawks-stun-buffalo-in-their-showdowns-next-y] We're not here to tell you the Stars will walk all over the Sabres next season. Hope springs eternal, and there is a world in which Buffalo grows into an elite team. But the Sabres have two chances to send a message to the Stars. And if they don't take advantage of those opportunities and they wind up missing out on a playoff berth by one or two standings points, their play against Dallas could prove to be a difference-making factor in their season -- and they could be looking at another year lost.
