It’s never simple with the Sabres. When I watch this team, I tend to be more tense than I am at any other point in my week. No matter. The boys in royal blue got their first win of the season, thanks to a Dylan Cozens snipe in ooooooovertime. I have three big takeaways from the bout, so let’s get to it.
Third Line Continues To Buzz
All last year, the Sabres juggled around their middle six. They eventually landed on a kid line of JJ Peterka-Dylan Cozens-Jack Quinn for the second line. But the third line seemed to be Granato’s experiment line. It was never a set unit. I think those days are over. The line of Jordan Greenway-Casey Mittelstadt-Zach Benson has been amazing so far in every game. I wasn’t a fan of the Greenway trade. I had written off Casey Mittelstadt as an asset to be traded, and no one could have predicted Zach Benson making the team this early (although I made my case for him in the preseason). I love to be proven wrong about these things. This line forechecks hard, is smart with the puck, and is responsible defensively. I hope Granato keeps this line until the end of time this season.
Levi Finding His Groove
In the first two games, I was relatively unimpressed by Devon Levi. There was and still is a lot of pressure on him to succeed, so it was worrying to see him seem a little shaky in net. But against a Lightning team with cup pedigree, he looked comfortable and composed. That second goal was not his fault, and he made all the saves he had to. Keep it pushing.
Need To Keep Structure Defensively
Speaking of that second goal. The Sabres looked pretty good in their own zone for most of the game, limiting turnovers and breaking out effectively. But they had occasional lapses in defensive structure, and that caused Levi to have to make some great saves. Buffalo needs to keep people out of the slot and the front of the net. And Alex Tuch needs to stop flying the zone before the puck is broken out.
Overall, a well-played game. These were the Sabres I expected. On to the next!
ITR 39: Conference Finals – Inside The Rink
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