Three Takeaways From The Buffalo Sabres 3-0 Win Over The San Jose Sharks
Luukkonen makes 28 saves for his second shutout
Three Takeaways From The Buffalo Sabres 3-0 Win Over The San Jose SharksThree For 37
There have been disappointments in terms of offensive production for the Buffalo Sabres this season, but Casey Mittelstadt has been an exception. The 25-year-old leads the Sabres with 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) and against San Jose was in on all three tallies with a goal and two assists. Mittelstadt is on pace to surpass his career-high 59 points in the final year of his three-year, $7.5 million contract, setting up the Minnesota native for a big payday this summer.
Luukkonen Earning The Net?
The Sabres started Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the third straight home game after playing well in a 5-3 victory over Ottawa and allowing only a Sam Lafferty goal in a 1-0 loss to Vancouver on Saturday. Head coach Don Granato indicated that the 24-year-old has earned consecutive starts after being in a goalie rotation with rookie Devon Levi for over a month, but the youngster’s inconsistency was on display in the 5-2 loss to Seattle last week.
Benson Trusted With Top Line Role
Granato has been forced due to Jeff Skinner’s injury to shift his forward lines. Winger Jordan Greenway was shifted to center, and Casey Mittelstadt replaced Skinner at left wing on the top line, but with his value up the middle, the Sabres chose to put Zach Benson on the top line.
"(Benson's) a very young player, but that's why he made our roster, because of his play without the puck. His feel for the game and positional awareness. Literally, when we show a clip of what to do systematically or an adjustment, he's one of the top guys that gets in and can go on and execute.” Granato said. “He's probably the best on our team at being able to adjust immediately, take what was told in the locker room or show in the locker room, and apply it immediately on the ice."
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