Definitions can be deceiving

Definitions are a fundamental aspect of the human language. However, there are times where definitions can be very deceiving. Example:

Definition of Buffalo:

buf·fa·lo ˈbəf(ə)ˌlō/ noun 1. a heavily built wild ox with backswept horns, found mainly in the Old World tropics. 2. a large grayish-olive freshwater fish with thick lips, common in North America.

Sabre (Saber)

[sey-ber]

noun

1.

a heavy, one-edged sword, usually slightly curved, used especially bycavalry.

2.

a soldier armed with such a sword.

3.

Fencing.

1. a sword having two cutting edges and a blunt point.

2. the art or sport of fencing with the saber, with the target beinglimited to the head, trunk, and arms, and hits being made with thefront edge and the upper part of the back edge of the sword and bythrust

When you put both of these words together you get "Buffao Sabres", by definitions, that should strike fear into the opponent. However that is far from the case in this scenario, as the Sabres are anything but a sharp, heavily built team.

Through 18 games this season, the Sabres are W 6 L 8 T 4, and they have only scored 33 goals. That is an average of 1.83 goals per game. By far the worst in the NHL. We have not seen that low of output since the 1998 Tampa Bay Lightning! So what has happened to the Sabres? Why the futility?

Well for one thing, they have ALOT of injuries. Have a look at their current infirmary list:

Zach Bogosian: 2016-11-01 (Knee) Bogosian has a MCL sprain in his knee and is without a timetable for return.

Nicolas Deslauriers: 2016-10-30 (Knee) Deslauriers sustained a knee injury and is on injured reserve without an official timetable for a recovery.

Jack Eichel: 2016-10-12 (Ankle) Eichel has been placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks of action.

Tyler Ennis: 2016-11-08 (Groin) Ennis has been placed on the injured reserve list after undergoing surgery to repair a groin injury. He is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.

Dmitry Kulikov: 2016-11-11 (Back) Kulikov is sidelined with a back injury and it is unknown if he will return against the Flames on Monday.

Cody McCormick: 2016-10-17 (Illness) McCormick has not played since the mid-way part of the 2015-2016 season due to blood clots in his calf muscle. He is on injured reserve and is expected to miss the entire 2016-2017 season as well.

Ryan O'Reilly: 2016-11-12 (Oblique) O'Reilly has missed the last four games with an oblique injury and is it unclear if he will return Monday against the Flames.

That is 7 key roster injuries, which is "gignormous". Jack Eichel is the really kicker right there. He is the future of the Sabres, and the catalyst for the team. So with him out, that cuts down production on a team, already slim on talent.The other problem is that the players who are currently healthy, other than Kyle Okposo, are not producing. Evander Kane has 1 point in 7 games. Zemgus Girgensons has 4 points in 18 games. As well, they are giving up a lot of shots. 32.9 per games, which ranks them 27th in the league.

There are some bright spots on the team though. Matt Moulson has 5 Power Play goals, and the team has the 12th best PP%.(19.3) Robin Lehner/Anders Nilsson have been respectable in net, as the Sabres 2.44 GA is 12th in the league. So it is not totally a lost season, not yet at least.

However, the Sabres have to do something quick. Evander Kane seems to be like a cancer that they need to get rid of. It is just a matter of finding a team that would take him, while they get something decent in return. As well, they need Lehner to step it up! Yes, he has been solid, but he has not stolen any games for the team this season. He needs to take his game to another level, if the Sabres want to have any chance of getting through the stretch of mediocrity.

The Sabres are looking more like a floundering fish, than a rampaging herd of Buffalo's. Contrary to Roger Miller' song, You can roller skate in a buffalo herd, without any harm (At least if you play in NHL)