Riding high after a 5-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, things could not be better for the Buffalo Sabres. Surprising goaltender Colten Ellis lodged his first career shutout. They are first in the Atlantic Division with two games remaining. Even better, they are in the driver’s seat thanks to a crucial tiebreaker with the second-place Montreal Canadiens.
With their eyes toward the playoffs, the Sabres have counted on some unsung heroes to get to this point. When the playoffs begin, they could find their playoff hopes driven furthest by a line that has recently come together and begun playing exceptionally well.
The Recent Impact of the Line
Josh Doan, Josh Norris, and Zach Benson have mostly played on lines apart from one another this season. All three have spent time with Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson, the team’s star forwards. But it is their convergence together that may be a tipping point for the Sabres.
The trio came together on Apr. 6 for the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In three games, they collectively have five goals, seven assists, for 12 points. More importantly, they drive play in a way that has to be seen to truly feel the impact.
The trio buzzes, with Doan and Benson doing the dirty work while Norris acts as the defensive conscience with playmaking ability. It has been the best possible combination, even if it is a short period of time. When they are on the ice together, they control 55.8% of the expected goals for, accounting for nearly four expected goals for per 60 minutes.
All 3 are Metrics Darlings
The three of them have been excellent individually and across numerous lines. When Doan is on the ice the Sabres count for 59% of the expected goals, better than players like Matt Boldy, Evan Bouchard, and Jake Sanderson. His best work has been done with Tuch and Ryan McLeod, controlling nearly 65% of the expected goals.
Related:Sabres’ Contention Window is Just Opening
Benson has likewise been incredible. With Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn, the trio controlled 71.8% of the expected goals. With McLeod and Tuch, the trio had an eye-popping 78.6% share while contributing an expected 4.74 goals per 60 while surrendering just 1.29 expected goals against.
Norris, with the highest individual expected goals rate at 63% – better than Cole Caufield, Mikko Rantanen, Andrei Svechnikov, and others. The biggest knock against him is, of course, his durability. He has only suited up in 42 games this season, far and away the lowest of any “regulars.”
Benson and Doan Have Games Built for the Playoffs
When the three are on the ice, there is a palpable shift in momentum. Benson and Doan play with speed, tenacity, and aggression on the forecheck. They are constantly causing issues for opponents, leading to turnovers, and a plethora of goals.
Benson, in particular, has shown a penchant for getting under the skin of opponents. He flusters and frustrates them, leading to critical mistakes. He also has the talent to punish them for it, as he did on a late goal against the Blue Jackets on Thursday.
Doan plays a very similar game with slightly more physicality and more defensive acumen. He is notorious for hounding opposing forwards, picking their pockets, and turning the momentum the other way. He’s also elevated his offensive game as a result, scoring a career-high 25 goals.
Norris has shown all the makings of being an upper-echelon two-way center when he’s on the ice. He’s a strong playmaker, has shown the ability to finish, and has a clear defensive conscience. He won’t muck it up like the others, but he has the speed, smarts, and skills to benefit from opportunities created by the other two. In the playoffs, that is the kind of game that can lead to a critical goal late in a tight game.
This Could Become the Heart of the Team
It should come as little surprise that the team swung in part because of the energy Doan and Benson bring on a nightly basis. With a strong two-way player between them, the duo has been the best line for the Sabres since coming together a few games ago.
They will likely have the last couple of games to work together before the playoffs begin, only adding to their already natural chemistry. When the going gets rough – as they do in the playoffs – these guys will get the Sabres going.
