Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (left); Jonathan Huberdeau (right) -- (Sergei Belski, USA TODAY Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/33005754-74d5-4d0b-b606-5151cb6046dc.jpeg] Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (left); Jonathan Huberdeau (right) -- (Sergei Belski, USA TODAY Images) The Buffalo Sabres were a major disappointment last season, and the 13 other seasons before that which ended without any Stanley Cup playoff action. The Sabres have been one of the NHL's worst teams, and they're now in a position where they desperately need to get into the post-season. Fans are exhausted with all the losing, and they won't be going on much longer as the same group if they miss the playoffs again next year. With that said, this article is part of a "Know Your Enemy" series focused on the Sabres [http://thn.com/buffalo]' opponenets next season. Team-by-team, we've broken down how Buffalo has fared against every franchise, and finished by offering a guesstimate as to how they'll play against them this coming season. We've moved through the Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central Division teams, and in today's file, we're looking at a team in the Pacific Division -- the Calgary Flames. The Flames [http://thn.com/calgary] narrowly missed the playoffs last season, and the Flames have made few changes -- something that's either an endorsement of the roster by GM Craig Conroy, or there's no other legitimate alternatives out there on the trade market. So the Flames may be a stronger team if their young players evolve into above-average talent. But for now, it's safe to say Buffalo should be getting at least three of four points against Calgary when they do square off next season. "The Big Show" BUFFALO SABRES VS. CALGARY FLAMES NEW FLAMES PLAYERS: Ivan Prosvetov, G; Nick Cicek, D 2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-1-0, Flames 1-0-1 2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: November 19 at Buffalo; December 8 at Calgary CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? The Sabres beat the Flames in their first game last season in a shootout win for Buffalo, but Calgary avenged the loss with a convincing victory in regulation time. Thus, the Flames came away with more standings points than the Sabres did in their series last season. That's something Buffalo can ill afford to do this time around as they try to secure a playoff spot. And all things considered, the Sabres should be dominating this series at this point in the competitive trajectories of both teams. Calgary has some promising young talent, but as we all should know by now, progress is not linear, and the Flames' youngsters may not deliver elite-level performances anytime soon. Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Should Sabres Throttle Ducks Again Next Year? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f6e7175a-9259-4ee0-831a-cb8f9316dc3a.jpeg] Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Should Sabres Throttle Ducks Again Next Year? The Buffalo Sabres have failed in one consistent way in recent years -- namely, that they haven't played Stanley Cup playoff hockey in nearly a decade-and-a-half. Thus, there's an inordinate amount of pressure on the Sabres to be a playoff team this year. And as we've seen in the NHL's overtime/shootout era, teams can make or miss the playoffs by only one or two standings points, so it's not an exaggeration to say that just about every game is going to be important to Buffalo's playoff hopes. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/know-your-enemy-sabres-pacific-edition-should-sabres-throttle-ducks-again-next-year] To be sure, Calgary has some solid components compiled by Conroy. He's set some of the foundation for the Flames, and he deserves credit for that. But it still feels like this Calgary team doesn't have the high-end horses to run with Pacific rivals including the Vegas Golden Knights [http://thn.com/vegas], Edmonton Oilers [http://thn.com/edmonton] and Vancouver Canucks [http://thn.com/vancouver]. And that's why few pundits will choose the Flames as a playoff team next season. They may have a bigger push in them, but we see no reason why they're locks to be in the post-season next year. So yes, that's a team that the Sabres absolutely need to handle in their limited action next season. And the two teams will battle over the course of approximately three weeks starting in mid-November, so Buffalo will have to be resilient and determined if they're going to at least win one game and push a second game to overtime or the shootout. The Sabres finished 2024-25 twelve points out of the playoffs, so they'll need to improve on many series next season, the series against Calgary included. And If the Flames do wind up winning both games against Calgary next year -- -- especially in regulation time -- it could be disastrous for Buffalo's post-season hopes. Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Are Winnipeg Jets Too Good To Lose To Buffalo? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/73b47f45-3ac7-42a8-a1ab-e3be50e27552.jpeg] Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Are Winnipeg Jets Too Good To Lose To Buffalo? The Buffalo Sabres are facing a massive amount of pressure to end their 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought next season. But if they're to do so, they're going to need to win the majority of series they play against every NHL team. And that includes taking on top-tier teams like the Central Division-champion Winnipeg Jets. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/know-your-enemy-sabres-central-edition-are-winnipeg-jets-too-good-to-lose-to-buffalo] The line between making and missing the playoffs is thinner than ever at hockey's top level. Teams like the Sabres simply cannot afford to be swept by any team, and you'd better believe Buffalo management is actutely aware of that reality. The Sabres are better than the Flames on paper, and they ought to be expected to be better than Calgary on the ice as well.. And if Buffalo has a letdown against the Flames, all their hard work the rest of the year could be for naught.
