Buffalo Sabres dream lineup includes keeping Benson, recalling Kulich

The Buffalo Sabres need to make changes to their lineup and rediscover their high-octane approach. Fortunately, they have assets to make it happen.

The Buffalo Sabres must make changes to their lineup and stop rolling with the 11/7 approach that has done little good and has created a lot of struggles for the 8-9-2 squad. Buffalo can easily fix this issue if they send goaltender Devon Levi to Rochester to give him more in-game reps, call up Jiri Kulich (who is more than ready), and start rolling with the more traditional lineup.

Below, you will catch the “dream lineup” for the Sabres, with one scenario NOT featuring Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn while the other WILL include the missing forwards. I’ll also post an explanation behind each lineup.

Buffalo Sabres dream lineup without Tage Thompson, Jack Quinn

Forwards

• Skinner – Cozens – Tuch
• Benson – Mittelstadt – Peterka
• Greenway – Krebs – Kulich
• Girgensons – Jost – Okposo
• Olofsson

The first two lines give the Sabres the best chances to score, especially that second line. As you can see, Benson stays and continues his upward trajectory while Jiri Kulich becomes a scoring threat on the third line. He and Jordan Greenway can build some chemistry while the trio of Zemgus Girgensons, Tyson Jost, and Kyle Okposo strictly play defense on the fourth.

Defensemen

• Dahlin – R. Johnson
• Power – Jokiharju
• Samuelsson – Clifton (or E. Johnson)
• Bryson

Ryan Johnson has been playing good hockey since he arrived, so he and Rasmus Dahlin forge a lethal top pairing (though he’s fared well with Owen Power, too). Power and Jokiharju have been a sound pairing so far when paired together, while Mattias Samuelsson could help remedy the struggles we have seen from Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton. The latter two would be rotating in this lineup while Jacob Bryson serves the team best by staying in the press box.

Goaltenders

• Luukkonen
• Comrie

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been the Buffalo Sabres best goaltender this year, something I never thought I’d say, but kudos to him. Eric Comrie rotates in with Luukkonen while Levi gets his reps in Rochester.

Blue and Gold’s dream lineup with Tage, Quinn

• Skinner – Tage – Tuch
• Benson – Mittelstadt – Peterka
• Kulich – Cozens – Quinn
• Greenway – Krebs – Girgensons (or Okposo)
• Olofsson

Defensemen and goaltenders remain the same, except Bryson gets traded for future considerations to make room.

We’re getting the Blue and Golden Trio back once Tage returns, while the Mittelstadt line remains unchanged. Dylan Cozens hits the third line and becomes a sound two-way presence for Jiri Kulich and the returning Jack Quinn. The third line will give Quinn fewer minutes of ice time when he returns, but with Benson performing so well, the 22-year-old may remain in that role if the rookie continues improving.

Jordan Greenway drops to the fourth line and continues to be a physical presence while Peyton Krebs plays the same role. Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons rotate every other game while Victor Olofsson enjoys the view from the press box.