Buffalo Sabres: Owen Power in strong contention for Calder Trophy
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres haven’t played well on defense, but Owen Power is slowly helping the Blue and Gold change that narrative.
The Buffalo Sabres have struggled on defense this season. But rookie Owen Power has been one of the more effective players in the defensive zone.
Showing great recovery speed, you can rely on Power to get a stick on the puck right when an opponent decides to shoot. Power is also fast enough to force opponents to improvise, and if all else fails, he can block a would-be shot on goal, with 55 blocks so far this season.
But there is also more to Power than his budding defensive presence. He’s often on the ice when the Sabres score goals at 5-on-5. Per Lance Lysowski of Buffalo News, he’s seventh among all NHL defenseman with a minimum of 40 starts in the category.
Now, Power is starting to open up his game offensively. And we need no further evidence than his three goals scored in the previous three contests, including a game-winner against the Dallas Stars.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power can win the Calder Trophy
Power has played in 45 games this season, scoring 19 points, three goals, and 16 assists, putting him on pace for 33 points. Given his recent output in the goal-scoring department, you can expect that number to rise following the All-Star break and into the later stages of the season.
For one, he’s shooting the puck more. Instead of dumping it off to a teammate last night, Power launched a quick wrister toward Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. No one, perhaps not even Hellebuyck, expected the shot, leading to a quick goal for Power.
Finally, we need to admire Power’s poise, confidence, and collectiveness. He’s moved the puck methodically over the first half of the season and you will only see that poise grow over time.
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Look for Power to enjoy a huge second half of the season, even if he’s already started doing so. And along with Rasmus Dahlin, his presence will kick off something great for the Buffalo Sabres defensive rotation.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
Article Source: Observations: Sabres’ top line puts on a ‘show,’ Eric Comrie stands tall in Winnipeg by Lance Lysowski
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