Buffalo Sabres: What makes the front three so valuable

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MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 13: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Centre Bell on February 13, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Presence

Barring setbacks, the presence of Tuch, Thompson, and Skinner allows the Sabres to shuffle the lower lines and figure out who to place directly behind them. For the Islanders game, the projected second line goes to Peyton Krebs, Dylan Cozens, and Victor Olofsson. However, the Okposo line featuring Cody Eakin and Rasmus Asplund followed the Thompson line in the Montreal game.

Against Columbus, Krebs headed up a line that featured Olofsson and Asplund at the wingers. With the first line now solidified, the Sabres can focus on perfecting their secondary scoring, defensive, and energy lines. It takes pressure off of Granato’s back, knowing his top trio can blossom into one of the league’s most dangerous in time.

Cozens and Krebs could eventually take over the second line, since both have performed well points-wise. Especially Cozens. Or, Granato can opt to go with experience on the second line, or even use different sets depending on the upcoming game. Granato knows he can shift his focus, and it’s because Tuch, Thompson, and Skinner are producing.

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