Today, we’ll start with the Buffalo Sabres’ disappointing season, which hit a new low in Tuesday’s 9-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sabres lacked defense, turned the puck over often, and had poor goaltending. They failed to score a goal on the Blue Jackets for over 42 minutes of play. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams needs to stabilize their goaltending if they want to make a playoff push in their remaining 49 games.
Currently, the Sabres are in danger of missing the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, with only a seven-point lead over the last-place Ottawa Senators in the Atlantic Division. They’re also six points behind fourth-place Tampa Bay. Unless they turn things around quickly, the Sabres will continue their playoff drought.
In other news, NHL player Nolan Patrick was rumored to have retired at the age of 25, but he and his family confirmed that he is not retiring. Patrick, a No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, has been sidelined by head injuries throughout his career. He hasn’t played in the NHL since March 2022, but he is still involved in the game as a “skills specialist” at The Power Play hockey school. It’s a shame to see medical issues affect a player’s career, but it’s important to prioritize their health and prevent further harm.
Finally, the gender battle in sports continues as a girls’ youth hockey club in Burlington, Ont. called out the city for not providing equal ice time. The Burlington Girls Hockey Club represents 850 girls, while the Burlington Eagles youth hockey organization represents 650 boys. However, the Eagles get 800 more hours of ice time each year than the BGHC. This disparity needs to be addressed to promote gender equality in sports.
