Tuch’s Cup-ambitious comments a big sign of change in Buffalo
The Buffalo Sabres just keep winning games.
The owners of the NHL’s longest playoff drought at 14 seasons, the Sabres have rattled off an absurd stretch that has taken them from last place in the Eastern Conference to comfortably in the current field while holding on to third place in the Atlantic Division.
After Thursday night’s win over Los Angeles, in response to a question from Mike Harrington of Buffalo News Sports, winger Alex Tuch delivered a bold proclamation about the team’s goals for the rest of the year.
“We’re not just going to go for the playoffs,” Tuch said. “We’re going to go for the Cup.”
On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed how Tuch’s comments are reflective of the growth the Sabres have displayed this year.
Tyler Yaremchuk: If they win their games in hand over Detroit, Buffalo is going to be in the second spot in the division. Alex Tuch after the game… This really, one, shows why you need to sign Alex Tuch, but two, it was a great little insight into the mindset of this Sabres team right now… Man, I mean Hutts, since December 1, the Buffalo Sabres are the best team in the NHL at 21-6-1, and that mindset their from Tuch, if you’re a Sabres fan, that’s got to give you chills hearing a leader talk like that.
Carter Hutton: Honestly, it gives me chills as an ex-Sabre. I’ve stood in front of that mic just like Alex Tuch has and Mike Harrington hit me with way worse questions about why we’re losing and what’s going wrong and what’s up with the team. It’s tough, right, because you are a pro, and you want to win. These are guys that aren’t secluded to the noise that’s going on outside it. For them to be in this situation, to play themselves into the playoffs and be a team that’s not hoping to win, but expecting to win. I think that’s a great message here. It’s one thing to say it… Right now, the Buffalo Sabres are saying the right things, and they’re proving it on the rink.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode below…