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What To Expect From The Buffalo Sabres After All Star Break

By Jacob D. Strozyk |
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres and Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres smile as they skate to the bench during the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres and Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres smile as they skate to the bench during the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres are coming off of a much needed rest during the All Star weekend, and its time for them to take control of their season again in a last ditch push for the playoffs.

Watching Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner in the All Star festivities this past weekend was something really cool to watch. For those who didn’t watch, Jack Eichel placed second in the fastest skater competition just behind fellow 2015 first round pick Connor McDavid. Jeff Skinner dazzled with some ridiculous hand skills in the goalie save streak competition (see video below, and fast forward to 22:52 for the ridiculous goal)

Now that the weekend has passed, its back to business for this team, and on to what is going to be expected of them as they really try to make something of this season.Coach Phil Housley had some normalized forward lines for tonight’s game against the Blue Jackets.

Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart

Sheary-Mittelstadt-Rodrigues

Thompson-Sobotka-Pominville

Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo

Once again Okposo has found his way to the fourth line, but he has also found his way back to the top power play unit. This might make for a good second half for the struggling forward as he really tries to bounce back from a tough start.

The defensive lines were kept to some normalcy as well, but there was one particular pairing that has me puzzled.

The defensive lines for tonight are as follows:

Dahlin-Bogosian

McCabe-Ristolainen

Scandella-Hunwick

Pilut-Beaulieu (assumed scratches)

This sees both struggling defenders Scandella and Hunwick playing on the same line, and I cannot understand the logic behind this. Both Beaulieu and Pilut play better defense than the other two, and have better overall play. Hopefully this doesn’t come back to bite them tonight, but if it works, it might be a good chance to cash in on a trade involving some of these extra defensemen.

We as fans are expecting a lot from this team in the second half of the year, but realistically, here’s what I will be expecting to see.

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Jeff Skinner has already hit the 30 goal mark, and he is undoubtedly the best pure goal scorer on the team. His continued high level of play will be something I expect, especially considering his elevated play alongside linemate Jack Eichel. Skinner will definitely hit the 40 goal mark before the end of the season, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him push the 50 goal plateau for the first time in his career as well. Signing him to a realistic contract under this circumstance is also key for GM Jason Botteril.

I also expect a bit of a bounce back from goaltender Carter Hutton. Before the All Star break he was having a lot of back luck and some sub par play. I expect him to have regained his focus after some time off, and I expect him to regain his early season form for a gear up towards the playoffs. If Hutton has found his rhythm again, then this team will have a real chance.

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The Buffalo Sabres play the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at 7:00pm EST, and a win tonight will make for a great start in the right direction again.

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