It feels like it has been ages, but the Buffalo Sabres were back in action on Wednesday night. A pair of Sabres were at the Winter Olympics in Milan, and a piece of gold medal success could be just what is needed to fuel the Sabres down the stretch and into the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Tage Thompson got a heroes welcome from the New Jersey crowd, then turned around and broke their hearts. It wasn’t the prettiest at times but the Sabres didn’t waste any time making an impact in the standings, grabbing two key points from a New Jersey team that looks to be on life support.
Thompson Keeps Rolling
There was some concern about whether Thompson would even be in the lineup following a White House visit on Tuesday, but he was ready to go for the opening puck drop. It also turns out that he was the best skater for the Sabres, a catalyst in the victory.
Thompson was on fire going into the break, having recorded a point in eight of nine games. On Wednesday, he and Peyton Krebs combined to give the Sabres the edge. In just over 19 minutes of ice time, Thompson scored the first goal of the night and assisted on Krebs’ marker to give the Sabres the 2-0 lead and, ultimately, the game.
Thompson dispelled any notion that he would be slacking after the Olympic high by being very good against the Devils. He continues to impress for the Sabres, driving offense regardless of who he is playing with.
Krebs Showing Potential as Good Middle-Six Fit
Speaking of Krebs, he was also a difference-maker for the Sabres against the Devils. Krebs has bounced throughout the lineup, playing on the top line one night and the fourth line on another depending on what head coach Lindy Ruff needs from him.
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Krebs showed that he can play with the best the Sabres have to offer, looking like a great fit with Thompson. A lot of that is naturally Thompson, but Krebs was starting to heat up going into the Olympic break with eight points in nine games.
Josh Norris is back but how long will he remain in the lineup? Zach Benson is on injured reserve dealing with what may very well be a shoulder injury and concussion. Krebs’ ability to move up in the lineup and not be a massive drop-off has been a big thing for the Sabres.
Luukkonen Back on Track
Speaking of returning from injury, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was back in the lineup after leaving the Jan. 27 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and subsequently missing the Olympics for Team Finland.
He was absolutely outstanding against the Devils, turning aside 27 of 28 shots on the night, several of them high-danger chances. Buffalo’s defense was very sloppy on Wednesday night, but Luukkonen was there to have their backs.
The speculation all season has been that the Sabres will move on from one of their goaltenders, but it feels less likely that will happen. Each goaltender has dealt with injuries and all have been key contributors to the Sabres’ success this season.
Defense Was Spotty, but Sabres Get the Win
The defense will definitely need to tighten things up, and there are still issues that general manager Jarmo Kekalainen needs to solve but a win is a win. The Sabres now sit tied for second in the Atlantic Division with the Montreal Canadiens, an unreal 22-5-2 since the ugly loss to the Calgary Flames on Dec. 8.
Reinforcements, both from within and via trades, are much needed. If they can find additional middle-six offense and a couple of bottom-pairing defensemen, this could be a team to reckon with when the playoffs roll around.
