Granato Contemplating Juggling Line And Pairing Adjustments
Granato Contemplating Juggling Line And Pairing Adjustments
The Buffalo Sabres are attempting not to overreact to their worst loss of the 2023-24 season, but in the wake of the 9-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the club went through a spirited practice at Key Bank Center on Wednesday prior to their meeting with the archrival Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.
Head coach Don Granato had nearly all hands on deck for the first time this season, as only veteran Zemgus Girgensons was unavailable on Wednesday. Last year’s top line of Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch and the second line of J-J Peterka, Dylan Cozens, and Jack Quinn were reunited. Winger Jordan Greenway skated with center Casey Mittelstadt and rookie Zach Benson, while the fourth line of Eric Robinson, Peyton Krebs, and Kyle Okposo remained intact.
On defense, the pairings of Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson, Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju, and Erik Johnson - Connor Clifton remained the same, but Granato did hint of some sort of roster adjustment after the blowout loss to Columbus.
"Things will change," Granato said. "When you look at last night and when you look at where we're at, there's a need for changes, so we will be changing things."
While the Sabres head coach did not commit to who would be in goal on Thursday, rookie Devon Levi practiced at one end, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Eric Comrie split duties at the other, providing a sign that Levi would get the start against Toronto.
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