The NHL on NBC features 109 games this season and apparently they're not too thrilled with the Buffalo Sabres. Of those 109 game the Sabres will make five appearances:

--Tues., Nov. 13 Tampa Bay Buffalo NBCSN 7:30 p.m.

--Wed., Nov. 21 Philadelphia Buffalo NBCSN 7:30 p.m.

--Tues., Dec. 4 Toronto Buffalo NBCSN 7:30 p.m.

--Fri., Dec. 21 Buffalo Washington NBCSN 7 p.m.

--Tues., Feb. 26 Buffalo Philadelphia NBCSN 7 p.m.

Despite the intrigue of franchise d-man in the making, Rasmus Dahlin, getting his career underway and the prospect of Jack Eichel leading his team as captain, NBC scoffed at the Sabres, a team generally considered in the bottom third of the league at this point in the off season.

Last year Buffalo appeared on national TV seven times and despite a horrendous season overall, they acquitted themselves quite well on the NBC family of networks. The Sabres went 3-3-1 with wins over the Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. Their losses included getting blown out by the Columbus Blue Jackets (on Wednesday 'Rivalry Night',) shut out by the Boston Bruins at home and a 4-3 loss at Madison Square Garden vs. the NY Rangers.

The Sabres and the Rangers played the 10th Winter Classic on New Year's Day at Citi Field, home of the baseball's NY Mets, with the Rags winning in overtime.

How the Columbus game was considered a rivalry game is beyond most and maybe that's why NBC dumped that Wednesday event. Instead they're simply going with "Wednesday Night Hockey."

Buffalo begins their climb out of the basement as they face the Boston Bruins on Thursday, October 4 at KeyBank Center to open the 2018-19 season. The NBC lineup consists of five games vs. opponents that the Sabres have played fairly well. Last season records:

TBL 2-2-0

PHI 1-2-0

TOR 2-2-0

WSH 1-2-0

NBC recognizes the Sabres are a team in transition and despite some star power they'll need to prove a lot more before they get national exposure.

Also of note, all of Buffalo's games on NBC will have been played before the trade deadline which generally takes place around March 1.

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