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3 most improved Buffalo Sabres in the month of March

By Sion Fawkes

Dec 2, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt (37) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with teammates on the bench during the second period at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt (37) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with teammates on the bench during the second period at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons (28) celebrates with right wing Kyle Okposo (21) his goal scored against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Honda Center. Okposo provided an assist on the goal. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Zemgus Girgensons

Girgensons has his limitations, having averaged over 15:20 of ice time once in his career. He’s also spent the previous three seasons dealing with an injury that forced him to miss his entire 2020-21 campaign.

Overall, it’s impossible to see Girgensons playing anywhere higher than the third line, but he’s best suited for the fourth. Since returning from injury, Girgensons has evolved into a big hitter, with 10 in his previous four outings. He’s also logged two points in his previous three games.

In 40 games this season, Girgensons drastically improved his face-off wins by eight percentage points. In 2019-20, his win percentage sat at a meager 41.1%, and that number now sits at 49.1%.

Winning face-offs, puck control, and physical play are all traits you look for on the fourth line, and Girgensons displays them all, logging just eight giveaways this season. Girgensons has not logged as much ice time in March, but having made the most of it, it’s easy to see why he’s one of the month’s most improved players.

If Girgensons keeps up his physical style of play throughout April, expect him to compete for a roster spot in 2022. Signed through 2023, keeping Girgensons around means the Sabres face a cap hit of $2.4 million. But if he continues to play well, he’s worth keeping for another year.

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