Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn was up and down pre-All-Star break. In post-All-Star break, his play has been a different story. Will it continue?
We knew it was going to happen sooner than later. Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn would eventually start producing at a high level. It was a matter of when, and after inconsistent yet promising play until the All-Star break, Quinn’s consistency has improved dramatically since February 11th.
He’s looked so good in a recent stretch of games, that he earned first dibs to fill in for Alex Tuch on the first line. No, Quinn is not a replacement for Tuch, that’s impossible, and it’s why the Sabres aren’t trading for a forward by the deadline. But Quinn, if head coach Don Granato keeps him there, will at least keep things afloat on the first line.
Buffalo Sabres winger has been spectacular in recent games
Since the February 13th loss to the Los Angeles Kings, Quinn has six points, including two goals and four assists. In yesterday’s win over the Washington Capitals, Quinn helped set up Jeff Skinner’s goal to put the Sabres ahead 3-2 early in the second frame.
Later that same period, Quinn took possession of the puck in the defensive zone, skated up ice, and found an open Dylan Cozens, who notched his second goal of three goals in the contest. But it hasn’t just been his offensive game, Quinn has also made strides defensively, as Buffalo is outscoring opponents 8-2 in situations when Quinn takes the ice at 5-on-5 dating back to February 11th.
Since returning from the All-Star break, Quinn is also operating at a +6. This is remarkable, given the blowout losses against the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs, all of whom outscored the Sabres 18-7. Quinn’s plus-minus in those three games? 0.
Overall, Quinn may have seen his struggles, just as all rookies do. But it’s becoming clearer that he’s turning into one of the better forwards on the Buffalo Sabres. Will he keep up this high-octane play? Absolutely, and that’s no bold prediction.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
Source: Observations: Sabres flex their scoring depth with Dylan Cozens’ hat trick in win by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com.
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