The Buffalo Sabres finally snapped their losing streak with a win against the LA Kings, but since their winning streak, they just haven’t been the same without Jake McCabe.
On the outside, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe is nothing super special. To the outside hockey world, he is just another mid-tier defender on the Sabres blue line, but the reality is much different than that.
With McCabe hurt so far this season, the Sabres went on their recent 5 game losing streak after their historic 10 game winning streak, and there is no coincidence there.
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Jake McCabe plays top end and key minutes for the Buffalo Sabres. He is a penalty killer on the top unit with Rasmus Ristolainen, and his role has been a top pair defender with Ristolainen as well. He logs big minutes in critical situations and plays a great shut down role.
McCabe is the premier stay-at-home defenseman; responsible in his own end, smart in the offensive zone, heavy in the corners, and hard on all of his checks. A presence like this is something that has been missed in recent games. While McCabe has been out, Lawrence Pilut has been filling his shoes. While Pilut has been playing exceptionally well, his play style doesn’t seem to work as well alongside Ristolainen.
On top of that, the Buffalo Sabres have been missing Marco Scandella from the lineup as well. In his place has been Nathan Beaulieu, who has played quite well honestly. Casey Nelson is also out with an injury which left room for Matt Tennyson in the lineup, a mistake made last season that has worked out just as poorly this year. While these other players have filled in roles, none of them have the same capabilities of Jake McCabe.
There’s just something about a defenseman that doesn’t get walked all over in this league. McCabe isn’t vocal, he doesn’t run his mouth at refs or other players. He makes his mark on the game, throws a big hit to remind everyone he’s still there, and he moves on. He doesn’t put up with other players trying to take liberties with him or his teammates. While he isn’t a massive body, he sits at a stocky 6’1, 203lbs, which is more than enough to send a message and shut down opposing players.
This season, Jake McCabe has also broken out a bit offensively. His career best point total was in 2016-17 when he scored 20 points. In 25 games this season, he already has 10. I’m not saying he bound to score 50 points as a defenseman, that’s a bit out of the question, but his contributions from the blue line this year were something noticeable. When offense comes from a defenseman that doesn’t usually have it, it makes him a little more valuable.
In his current state, McCabe is listed as week-to-week on the Sabres IR which means that he will still be out for a while, so what can be done to fill in the hole left in the defense? The key will be to find a similar role for Pilut. While Pilut is smaller in size, he is faster and a bit more offensive minded. Using that to their advantage, the Buffalo Sabres could fill the hole left by McCabe sooner than later.