The Buffalo Sabres will close out their 2023 Prospects Challenge vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, so let’s take a look at the Pens up-and-comers.
The Buffalo Sabres have been nothing short of spectacular in their first two games at the 2023 Prospects Challenge. And tonight, they can close out the series with a sweep if they score a win vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins.
And while the Penguins overall prospects pool is nowhere near the NHL’s best, it also doesn’t mean they lack talent in every aspect. Let’s look at three possible players the Sabres must account for this afternoon if they want to finish the tripleheader with a perfect record.
Buffalo Sabres may need to account for a few of the Penguins better prospects
Brayden Yager was taken 14th overall in this past draft, and he showed everyone why the Penguins scooped him up in Saturday’s contest vs. the Ottawa Senators. Yager showed off an immense ability to not only put plenty of power behind his shot, but his overall accuracy let it sail through hordes of traffic and into twine at one point in the contest.
Sam Poulin was one of the older prospects competing this past weekend, and the former first round pick hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. But he also made an impression, scoring a “dirty goal” to put the Penguins up 4-1 on Saturday. So far, the Buffalo Sabres have matched or at least come close to their opponents’ overall tenacity, and if he’s slated to play in the finale, Poulin will bring a lot of it onto the ice.
Joel Blomqvist didn’t play against Ottawa on Saturday, so he could suit up for the finale this afternoon. The Penguins 52nd overall pick in 2020 signed with the Pens earlier this season, and he’s looking to become the main man in the net for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season. If there is ever a prospects pool to make a good impression against in the net, it’s that of the Buffalo Sabres, as Isak Rosen and Company will be coming.
Source: Offensive Outburst Pushes Penguins Prospects Over Senators by Nick Horwat, The Hockey News