WHAT SABRES TEAM WAS THAT ?

The multi year rebuild version of the Buffalo Sabres rolled into town tonight sporting a 16-30-8 record and a bottom four goals against of 195.  With Jack Eichel finally gone, replaced by Peyton Krebs and Alex Touch the franchise hoped that Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Quinn and Casey Millelstadt could fill the void.  No sign of that yet although the Sabres have been without 6-7 starters in their most recent 6 game losing streak.

A near capacity crowd at the Scotiabank Arena welcomed the Leafs’ home as they looked for their 4th win in row and a chance to catch Atlantic Division leading Tampa Bay.   Petr Mzarek got his first consecutive starts this season and Coach Keefe did another d-pair juggle, this time moving Rasmus Sandin to the right side to play along with Morgan Reilly.

A pretty upbeat first period saw young Sabres’ defenceman Jacob Bryson with the first goal.  His shot deflected in off Reilly’s pants for a 1-0 lead.  The fierce forechecking of Toronto’s top line paid off again as Sandin scored his first ever at the SBA from Michael Bunting and Mitchel Marner at the 12 minute mark.

Another tight checking period had both sides going end to end.  The Leafs had been playing a fairly strong game so one had to wonder why the Sabres are ranked so low.  A rebound, scramble goal by Victor Alfonso put them up 2-1 at the 12 minute mark and then their leading scorer Tage Thompson put in a nice one with just 1:25 left.

The Leafs looked “discombobulated” in the third period as the tenacious Sabres just wouldn’t allow them any time or space.  Keefe started fiddling with his d-pairs and switched out Marner and Nylander to buck the trend.  But Jeff Skinner converted a Sandin bauble at the Leafs line to top shelf his 21st on the shortside and then Kyle Okposo converted a nice feed from Dylan Cozens to make the final 5-1.

HOPPER NOTES:  This reporter was rather impressed with Sabres on this night…and don’t forget, they have an injured Jack Hughes, Owen Power and 3 x 2022 first round draft picks to add to the mix….it’s been 10 years since Buffalo had a playoff team – 2023 has GOT to see that change…was that mock cheers I heard for Mrazek after the fifth goal ? Jack Campbell better get himself prepared for Saturday night….

Cheers – discuss – comment !

One thought on “WHAT SABRES TEAM WAS THAT ?”

  1. The Sandin Reilly experiment was ugly.
    I think they were on the ice for all five goals against!!!
    Nice to see The Sabres heading in the right direction.
    A strong Sabres team would be awesome to get the rivalry back with The Leafs.
    With playoffs only a few short weeks away, are The Leafs players starting to feel the pressure to succeed?
    Looks like the fans are ready to turn on them if it goes south once again? Mrazek got a few boos last night.
    Gabby coming to town on Saturday..I am sure he would love to beat his favourite team..

Comments are closed.