Buffalo Sabres: What makes the front three so valuable
The Buffalo Sabres have solidified their first line. And it goes far beyond just scoring goals
Two of the Buffalo Sabres front three lead the team in points – Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson. Winger Alex Tuch leads the team in points-per-game, and in +/-. And while statistics are great to point to, and goals are the most important statistic that win games, it’s the little things that matter most.
Why? Because sub-tasks transform into the overall task of goal scoring and ultimately, winning. And it’s something Tuch, Thompson, and Skinner have mastered since the former made his Buffalo Sabres debut. Now that they are getting into a rhythm, let’s break down three factors that have given fans of the rebuilding Sabres hope for a brighter future.
These three factors often go overlooked. But when broken down, they comprise the building blocks of success at professional hockey’s highest level.
Offensive instincts
We saw the front three’s instincts on display often against the Montreal Canadiens. The first example occurred on an Alex Tuch breakaway when Thompson tipped him the puck. A second example occurred during Skinner’s goal via an assist from Rasmus Dahlin, when Tuch was in prime position for a rebound during Jeff Skinner’s second goal of the afternoon.
A third example occurred when Skinner lobbed one to Tuch midway through the second. Skinner was also credited for an assist on a Tage Thompson goal. And earlier in the game, Thompson also made headway with a pass to Casey Fitzgerald, who found Skinner in front of the net.
The more they play together, the more it seems this trio knows where the other is on the ice. Often, they were passing to one another in full stride, or utilizing fourth or fifth teammates to complete their goal scoring frenzy. But it’s not just the Montreal game. Head coach Don Granato also had good things to say following the Blue Jackets game.
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.
Development
The Sabres have found twine eight times in the past two contests. But odds are against them that they will sneak into the NHL playoffs. And that’s okay. This season is all about development, and the Sabres are still figuring to sell at the deadline.
While Granato can use his top trio’s presence to solidify his lower lines; he can also develop call-ups should the Sabres go in that direction. Brandon Biro and J.J. Peterka are just two of a few names who could see action on the Sabres roster before the season concludes. And he can develop slowly, limiting their ice time if needed.
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If Granato can further string together at least his second line, and he has a chance to thanks to Tuch, Thompson, and Skinner, he can really ease any future call-up onto the lower lines before exposing them to more ice time. Overall, the top trio Granato and general manager Kevyn Adams have put together are allowing the Sabres to worry about other avenues as opposed to who will make up the top line.