Buffalo Sabres vs. Senators: Post-Game Notes and Opinions

The Buffalo Sabres closed out the 2022 Prospects Challenge with a matinee affair vs. the Ottawa Senators in a memorable outing. 

Throughout the 2022 Prospects Challenge, the Buffalo Sabres got off to some rocky starts, never scoring the first goal. Often, they played too far up the ice on defense, allowing opponents to charge the net and make life uncomfortable for goaltenders Beck Warm and Tomas Suchanek.

Fortunately, the Sabres rebounded and ended up winning all three contests, including a 6-3 victory over the banged up Ottawa Senators. It was a game where once again, talent from the 2021 and 2022 Draft Classes were on full display. But they weren’t the only ones who enjoyed a good game.

Buffalo Sabres prospects once again got the sticks rolling

Once again, Isak Rosen and Aleksandr Kisakov were fast and continually created scoring opportunities. The best opportunity came when Ethan Ritchie found Kisakov, who passed left to Matt Savoie for a goal on a one-timer.

Lukas Rousek and Linus Weissbach also scored, continuing their strong outing throughout the tournament. Both played for Rochester last season and have at least made their case to see ice time in Buffalo at some point this season. Rousek may find himself sneaking onto the middle six eventually, more likely in 2023-24 or 2024-25, while Weissbach can be a dynamic playmaker on the lower lines.

Once again, I saw Spencer Sova taking shots and disrupting plays. He is one player to keep an eye on this season and could wind up in the Sabres system. They brought him in on an invite.

Also once again, I saw Tyson Kozak all over the ice, showing off speed and the ability to make plays in traffic. Kozak also had two goals, including one with a remarkable assist from another Prospects Challenge standout, Filip Cederqvist.

Other Notables in Game 3

Mats Lindgren attacked the offensive zone multiple times, creating opportunities for himself and others. Early in the game, he diced his way through the Senators skaters, but fell short of scoring. He also showed off sound agility later in the contest. Give Lindgren a few more seasons at the junior level, and he is going to be something else when he reaches the Sabres main roster.

While Savoie scored twice, I’m shocked he only scored two goals in the contest. He came eerily close to a natural hat trick, and even before that, he seemed to set up a scoring opportunity for either himself or his teammates.

Goaltender Tomas Suchanek had a slow start, but got it together, especially in the second and third period. After allowing two of the first five shots his way, he allowed just one more in the game’s final 50 minutes.