Score: Sabres 2 | Islanders 3
Shots: BUF 28 | NYI 29
Buffalo Sabres Goals:
- Greenway (Mittelstadt, Benson)
- Mittelstadt (Benson, Dahlin)
New York Islanders Goals:
- Nelson (Engvall)
- Palmieri (Nelson, Pulock)
- Cizikas (Pelech, Clutterbuck)
Minus 1: Cozens on the Struggle Bus
Buffalo has only managed to score three total goals in their first two games. The Thompson line looks out of sync but improved from game one to game two. However, the Cozens line has been hard to watch. Other than a few bright moments from Peterka, the line has easily been the worst for Buffalo to start the year. Cozens is struggling to regain his form from last year. The effort is there, but he’s a turnover machine, consistently losing board battles, and can’t hit the net. Cozens missed the net wide early in the 1st that resulted in the Islanders transitioning to offense and ultimately Nelson’s opening marker. The game winning goal was a direct result of a Cozens’ turnover below the defensive hashmarks. He’s too talented and works too hard to stay this cold for long. When he regains his form, the Sabres will return to being an offensive powerhouse.
Minus 1: Sabres Utilize Green Power
There were questions heading into this season about how Jordan Greenway fit on this roster. Those questions have been answered; he fits like a glove. But not just any glove, Greenway is a boxing glove. He’s the perfect power-forward compliment to the speed and skill of the other Sabres forwards. The only other player that can play a similar style is Alex Tuch, but Greenway operates as more of a blunt instrument that imposes his will on opponents and dares them to try and stop him. His line with Mittelstadt and Benson have been the only offensively consistent forward line for Buffalo through two games. It appears the Sabres have finally filled the void left when Marcus Foligno was traded to Minnesota.
Plus 2: Benson’s First of Many
Zach Benson is making the most of every shift of his young career. His hockey sense and vision were apparent during training camp, but it was unclear how he’d fare once the regular season started. He and his linemates have been a consistent offensive threat in both games, and he cashed in with two assists against the Islanders. He’s the second youngest Sabre to record an assist (Pierre Turgeon was only 5 days younger) and the 5th Sabre under 19 years old to record two assists in a game. His first assist was a great drive to the middle to draw the defense before dishing off to Mittelstadt on the wing. His second was a result of a strong forecheck that gave Mittelstadt room in front to roof it past Sorokin. If he keeps up this level of play, there is no way Benson can be sent back to Juniors.
Final Thoughts
A much better effort than the opener but still fell short. Buffalo controlled play at times and looked to take the game over early in the third. However, another game against the Islanders results in some tough bounces going against Buffalo. The Isles’ second goal was accidentally kicked in by Clifton and the game winner was very close to be offsides on the entry and may have been deflected by a high stick. It’s still early but these are the types of games that they will wish they got at least a point in during March and April. The good news is that the Mittelstadt-Benson-Greenway line is phenomenal. When the Thompson line inevitably finds their game, this offense is going to put teams on their heels. Patience is a virtue and it’s a long season. Next up, the Jonas Johansson led Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday night. That is a perfect opportunity for some struggling shooters to find their stride.