Sabres at Risk of Becoming NHL's Lowest-Scoring Team Since 1936

Suffering through one of the worst seasons in recent NHL history, the 20-45-8 Buffalo Sabres have an outside chance to become the NHL's lowest-scoring team since 1936, per Drew Davis of Kukla's Korner.

With 139 goals through 73 games, the Sabres are averaging a woeful 1.90 per contest, easily the worst in the NHL. The New Jersey Devils are second-worst in scoring with 177 goals through 73 games, which is good for 2.42 per contest and still places them well ahead of the Sabres.

Having long ago locked up their place as the lowest-scoring team this season, the Sabres hope to avoid matching the 1997-98 Tampa Bay Lightning's record for fewest goals per game in modern NHL history. The 1997-98 Lightning struggled to a 17-55-10 record, scoring just 151 goals in 82 games, or 1.84 per contest.

As bad as the Sabres are, this is one mark of futility they should be able to avoid. Doing so will require just 13 goals in the final nine games, which would be a given for any other NHL team.

Of course, the Sabres aren't just any NHL team, they're far and away the worst squad in the league. Avoiding this dubious record is clearly in the team's best interest, but it won't remove the sting from a truly dreadful season.