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Buffalo Sabres: Grading Matt Savoie’s performance vs Canadiens

By Sion Fawkes

Jul 7, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Matthew Savoie after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Matthew Savoie after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres fans finally got to see Matt Savoie hit the ice in Game 1 of the 2022 Prospects Challenge against the Canadiens. 

Matt Savoie hadn’t taken the ice for quite some time and in last night’s contest he made no electrifying plays. Some fans may consider his performance to be underwhelming, but hockey is not a game full of big plays. When you really think about it, even players who average over a point per game may, in actuality, score in two-thirds of each outing.

So when grading Matt Savoie’s performance during his first on-ice action with Buffalo Sabres prospects, I wanted to take in the possibility that Savoie was going to be rusty. He showed some rust, but nothing that made me say, he has a long way to go.

While it’s true he didn’t show us enough last night to warrant serious consideration for the main roster, his performance should nonetheless leave fans encouraged.

Grading Matt Savoie’s debut with the Buffalo Sabres prospects

Savoie held his own against the likes of Juraj Slafkovsky and Justin Barron. Slafkovsky, barring something unforeseen, will play in the NHL this season while Barron has seven games of NHL experience.

Savoie also showed sound versatility in this one, floating between center and winger. He completed some outstanding passes that led to scoring chances, and he also showed off sound defensive skills. While his counterpart in Slafkovsky had some moments, Savoie was a key figure as to why the Sabres kept the number one pick in check.

Overall, I’m giving Savoie an A- for his performance. There was some rust early, but then again, few on the team didn’t look rusty during those first ten minutes when the Canadiens outplayed them.

light. Related Story. Sabres vs. Canadiens: Post-Game Opinions

While scoring chances just weren’t there on Thursday night, it didn’t stop Savoie from making contributions elsewhere. Even on defense, he made his presence felt. A good game overall.

Article Source: Observations: Isak Rosen, Tyson Kozak lead Sabres to come-from-behind win by Lance Lysowski

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