The lineup appeared just a little totally different for the Buffalo Sabres as they took on the New York Islanders. In an try to get just a few gamers going, the strains have been shaken up a bit. Coming off a 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers, it was essential that the Sabres not get mired in a stoop.
But right here we sit within the wake of a 4-3 loss to the Islanders, the Sabres’ second in a row. Whereas the frustration is certainly palpable, there are just a few key takeaways to have a look at. Let’s get into it to see what we will be taught from the newest loss for the Sabres.
Jason Zucker Has Been an Wonderful Match
The one manifestly apparent vibrant facet was the play of Jason Zucker. After final night time’s efficiency, Zucker is tied for second on the workforce in factors and is in a five-way tie for the workforce lead in assists with six. He’s merely delivered above and past expectations for a Sabres workforce seeking to severely enhance this season.
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On Friday night time, he delivered a Gordie Howe hat trick – a purpose, an help, and a battle. The battle, particularly, delivered a spark of power to a workforce that appears to have hassle sustaining it this season. The truth that he additionally scored the primary two objectives of the season for a slumping energy play solely underscores his worth.
Maybe extra importantly, Zucker acquired just a little life out of the struggling Dylan Cozens. Cozens acquired on the board early along with his first of the season and the sheer elation on his face was unmistakable. Hopefully, it is a mutually useful relationship shifting ahead.
About Rasmus Dahlin
Rasmus Dahlin isn’t having the sort of season most envisioned. His first season as captain of the Sabres has gotten off to a sluggish begin, although he’s starting to see a quiet uptick in his offensive output. But for somebody who needs to be conceivably contending for a Norris Trophy, it doesn’t fairly really feel prefer it’s sufficient.
He’s been coping with accidents on and off because the first session of coaching camp. He’s been noticeably unnoticeable, not making grievous errors however not standing out in the best way that we’ve come to count on from the younger Swedish defender.
It is a lengthy season and the truth that he’s beginning to collect extra assists is an encouraging signal. It might be good to see him stand out a bit extra on the facility play, one thing that will little question assist drag that pathetic unit out of the depths of the league’s basement.
The Goaltending Is Inconsistent
This recreation might have been a microcosm of the goaltending state of affairs in Buffalo up to now this season. Devon Levi wasn’t unhealthy – the truth is, he was fairly good till he took himself manner out of place on the fourth and decisive purpose by the Islanders. He turned away 32 of 36 pictures on the night time, an honest effort on the entire.
Coming into the season, many felt just like the Sabres had a borderline top-15 goaltending mixture. But right here we sit by 11 video games, each goalies carrying inflated objectives in opposition to averages and sub-.900 save percentages. There are flashes of what we got here to count on from them, however flashes simply aren’t sufficient.
The Sabres thought they have been getting constantly high quality play in web between Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. As an alternative, it’s been a guessing recreation as to when every participant would discover a groove and the way lengthy it might final. UPL will little question be the following man up in opposition to the Detroit Pink Wings and he wants to seek out his stride.
Sabres Are Too Inconsistent
It’s in all probability going to be stated fairly a bit this season, however this feels lots like the identical outdated Sabres in additional obscure methods. They play with an improved toughness in comparison with seasons previous, however the effort doesn’t really feel prefer it’s there constantly for 60 minutes each night time. There are flashes of dominance and even longer spells of frustration.
Delivering for 60 minutes an evening over 82 video games is nearly not possible. However the factor that separates the great groups from these just like the Sabres is that the core appears to be like previous the reasons to seek out options. They discover that additional one thing that permits them to seize video games they conceivably shouldn’t win. That’s what’s been lacking from the Sabres and there’s no signal that it’s been discovered.
