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Buffalo Sabres: Mattias Samuelsson’s return will bring a physical edge

By Sion Fawkes

Oct 20, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) and Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) get into a scrum during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) and Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) get into a scrum during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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It is no secret the Buffalo Sabres have lacked a physical presence since Mattias Samuelsson and Ilya Lyubushkin went down with injuries. 

While Mattias Samuelsson won’t return tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he has a better chance of playing for the first time in nearly a month sometime this week, perhaps against the Montreal Canadiens or Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues. But if there is one guarantee regarding Samuelsson’s return to the ice, it is that the Buffalo Sabres level of physicality will increase with it.

No one on the team finishes checks better than Samuelsson, and he displays the type of imposing presence that will make an opposing player think twice about crossing him. Before his injury, Samuelsson racked up 11 hits, including four in that fateful game against Vancouver where he suffered a knee injury after he delivered a hard hit.

Buffalo Sabres will play a more physical game with Samuelsson

Samuelsson has yet to log a full season of experience with the Buffalo Sabres, but his on-ice presence has already made a difference. Late last season, despite playing in just 24 contests (46 career), he worked his way to the first pairing with Rasmus Dahlin, and the two proved to be an outstanding duo. They complement one another well, with Dahlin taking a two-way approach while Samuelsson is the stay-at-home type specializing in disrupting plays and creating turnovers.

Samuelsson’s playing style is nothing special. He has never scored an NHL goal, and overall, does very little on the offensive side of the puck. But stay-at-home NHL defensemen are equivalent to your classic defensive tackle in the NFL. They do little in terms of glamor; all they do is help you win games. And that’s the role Samuelsson has slid into since late last season when the Sabres embarked on their remarkable 16-9-3 run.

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Samuelsson’s presence will feature that physical edge; something the Buffalo Sabres desperately need. And when he brings that no holds barred playing style, the Blue and Gold tend to win.

Article Source: Sabres injuries: Mattias Samuelsson close to return; Eric Comrie out ‘weeks’ by Bill Hoppe

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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