Worst part is the Rangers losing back to backers to Philly and the Panthers splitting their last two are very possible. The Sabres winning their last 3 is pretty much impossible.
While I do blame the front office for most of this mess, I think the league has changed since the lock out as well. The Sabres were the fastest team on the ice after the lock out and with the interference and holding penalties being enforced, it opened the ice up and they dominated. But the rules have changed back to the pre-lock out rules of hockey. Interference is rarely called, you can no longer dump and chase the puck without being interfered with. The defensemen can jump out and block your path with no risk of penalty. And holding and cross checking isn't called as tightly in the crease. These rules were enforced in order to open up the game and make it more exciting with the hopes of attracting a bigger fan base. But now defense and size is a bigger factor than speed.
The Sabres front office didn't adjust at all to the change and they are where they should be with their currect roster. They need a better D and size, speed alone will no longer win under the current officiating. And they are not even all that fast any more and still undersized, which is a deadly combination. I honestly believe that even with Drury, Campbell and Briere, this team is mid pack at best. But at least that puts them in the playoffs. It's very frustrating.