The Buffalo Sabres have improved this season when you look beyond the wins and losses. One improvement has been forward Dylan Cozens.
As you know, Dylan Cozens’ nickname is the Workhorse from Whitehorse. And as you also know, Cozens was frustrated in his output during the final three months of the Buffalo Sabres 2021-22 season when he scored just two goals and logged a measly 13 on the season, despite a fair 38-point outing.
This season, Cozens is already over halfway to 38, thanks to his three-point performance in last night’s loss to the Colorado Avalanche. In his last five games, Cozens has five goals and seven total points. So far on the year, he has snagged 21, with nine goals and 12 assists.
And what’s even more amazing about his breakout stems from the line he’s playing on – a line that comprises J.J. Peterka and Jack Quinn, two rookies with about 47 games of NHL experience combined. Oh, and he’s also giving that rookie duo sound opportunities to shine, and they are starting to take advantage.
Dylan Cozens is becoming the Buffalo Sabres next great forward
The Buffalo Sabres are shining in numerous areas, and one of which is the fact that they are second in the NHL as of Friday morning in goals scored, with 90 in 24 games, good for an average of 3.75 per contest. And while Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Jeff Skinner are running the show, Cozens is slowly working his way into their category.
Look for Cozens to give the Sabres production that is only going to increase as he and the rookie duo gain more experience. And with the Workhorse from Whitehorse leading that second line, you can also expect the Buffalo Sabres, dare I say it, to remain at least in the top five in the goal-scoring category as the season progresses.
Once the Sabres figure out their defense and goaltending woes, they will become one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. That might not happen this season, but give it time and it will come. And having forwards with high scoring outputs like Cozens will help make that process a bit more manageable as it helps alleviate pressure from the defensive rotation and goaltending.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
Article Source: Observations: Dylan Cozens’ breakout continues with 3-point night in Sabres’ loss by Lance Lysowski
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