We are seeing some voter fatigue across the country, and it’s affecting us here with the player ratings too. We had 88 votes this time around, and the Sabres collapsing like a folding table at a Ralph Wilson tailgate affected the ratings too.
The Penguins came roaring back after going down 3-0 in the first period, before Buffalo pulled one back in the third period. Neither team was able to score again after that despite having good looks at the goal, and the Pens eventually won in the shootout where the Sabres have been abysmal this year.
| Ryan O’Reilly | 3.9 |
| Jack Eichel | 2.8 |
| Sam Reinhart | 3.3 |
| Marcus Foligno | 2.9 |
| Johan Larsson | 3.3 |
| Brian Gionta | 2.7 |
| Nick Deslauriers | 2.5 |
| Zemgus Girgensons | 2.8 |
| Hudson Fasching | 2.3 |
| Cal O’Reilly | 2.1 |
| David Legwand | 2.8 |
| Matt Moulson | 3.1 |
| Josh Gorges | 2.4 |
| Rasmus Ristolainen | 3.1 |
| Jake McCabe | 3.5 |
| Zach Bogosian | 3.7 |
| Mark Pysysk | 2.8 |
| Casey Nelson | 3.7 |
| Chad Johnson | 2.5 |
#1 – Ryan O’Reilly, rating 3.9
The fact that the top player only scored 3.9 should tell you that the Sabres weren’t very good on the day. Ryan O’Reilly finally broke his goal scoring drought, and it was with the kind of effort goal that would make Ted Nolan proud. ROR leads all forwards in the League in TOI per game. It’s irrelevant for the Masterton Trophy but it’s certainly telling about his leadership in this young team.
#2 – Zack Bogosian, rating 3.7
Bogo scored a well-worked goal but has cooled off after hitting upon a rich vein of offense a few weeks ago. He has seven goals and fifteen assists on the year. He’s been quick to stand up for some of the younger skill players on the ice, which is some thing we all like to see from a seasoned player, but would still like to see more from the dman on the defensive front.
#3 – Casey Nelson, rating 3.7
The defenseman is continuing his hot streak, picking up another pair of assists. We worry about unrealistic fan expectations in what is known as ‘the Luke Adam syndrome’, especially when you see comments like this, tongue-firmly-in-cheek at some of the Connor McDavid fanboys clamoring for the Calder Trophy.
Casey Nelson continues his late-season push for the Calder and Norris trophies with his fourth assist in three NHL games.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) March 30, 2016
Image courtesy of Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres play at the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.