‘We’re now 60 games into the season and the Sabres have never really looked like a playoff contender. In the beginning, even without their number-one goalie, they showed much-improved possession stats, but never a good record. In time even the Corsi tailed off, and the only success the Sabres can claim is how they compare with last year’s version. That’s not nothing, but it doesn’t grant you a spot in the tournament.’