How is it that the Sabres have more back-to-back games than any other team in the league? Shouldn't there be some sort of parity where that is concerned? Or is it that big a problem, trying to be fair when organizing what is probably a logistical clusterfuck scheduling 30 teams throughout an NHL season?

Also, I've noticed in recent seasons that the Sabres often had games-in-hand on most other teams as the season progressed. Why this year the reverse? They are one of only two teams to have already played 17 games.

Psychologically, you want a team to have played less than most as they move through a season, so they feel as if they're a little worse off than they really are---and then they have a few extra games toward the end of the season to get some quick points, especially as many teams have either given up or are resting stars for the playoffs.

How much say does a team have in this stuff?

If they play this many games early on, they won't play as many by the time the playoffs come around so they will be well rested unlike the rest of the teams.

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I guess I'm thinking of it from a more psychological angle. I'd rather have a team doing better than it appears point-wise at the moment (because of games-in-hand) than have a place in the standings that is constantly threatenned by most others having games in hand instead.

At the end of the season, most teams wish they had a couple extra to play to make up ground.

I did a column on this. In addition to tracking back to backs, I tracked (within the NE division) who was playing both at home a lot, the second at home, and traveling. There were discrepancies there as well.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I'm sure the WJ tourney might have something to do with it too.

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I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

The thing that bothers me the most is that it seems when we play back to back games our opponent in the second of the two games is rested with a day off. Then it seems very rare for us to play anyone in their second game of a back to back when were rested.

Could be... Or it's a conspiracy, the league doesn't want buffalo in the playoffs, were a small market team that can't make much money for the NHL. So they figure were one of the worst teams in back to back games and miller our best player will have to sit most of those games, which means no playoffs. Then teams like atlanta will have a better shot at making it, which means more money for the NHL due to an untapped fan base with lots of potential to grow hence very low attendance. Think about it the NHL is a business why would they want a team with no chance at making money for the NHL over a team that could be very profitable. We already bought up all the jerseys what else can we do. Just a theory and something for everyone to think about.

There's no conspiracy. C'mon.

Ya thats what I keep telling myself too, just so I can still have love for the game. But it seems so obvious how tainted the game we love is.

The NHL should, as much as logitically possible, schedule back-to-backs with the same two teams playing a home-and-home.

When we had UHL hockey in Glens Falls, I used to love the fact that we'd play Friday and Saturday night games against the same team in a weekend, both at home or away.

Tensions would run high, especially with division rivals, and it made for a great on ice product.

The NHL should consider it. It'd also save teams on travel costs.

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Wheelhouse

Are you being serious right now?

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I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

[quote="jordano"]Are you being serious right now?[/quote
Umm... Isn't that rhetorical

There's just so many things wrong with this. This had better be a joke.

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Driver of the Tyler Ennis Bandwagon, Ridin' shotgun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon, chillin' on the Luke Adam Bandwagon


Eh

Larry Quinn requested that the NHL give the Buffalo Sabres as many Friday and Saturday games as possible to maximize the incoming revenue stream. The rest of the schedule unfolded around that, simple as that.

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mechaphil