The Buffalo Sabres are going to be looking for their third straight win when they play the Dallas Stars at KeyBank Center. The Sabres certainly have the momentum after consecutive wins where they were able to overcome multi-goal deficits.
On Saturday, it was a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and then on Tuesday they scored two in the third period against the Minnesota Wild to force overtime before Owen Power scored the game-winning goal. The Stars enter this game with only 1-2 record but are coming off their best game of the season, winning by a final score of 5-0 against the San Jose Sharks.
For the team, the objective is simple and that is to continue their win streak against the Dallas Stars. However, for a few players they are trying to put a slow start to the season behind them with a big performance in front of the home crowd.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started the first two games for the Buffalo Sabres and gave up eight goals in total against the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks. It was not an ideal start for the veteran goalie, as he wanted to put the performance in the playoffs behind him. In those two games, Luukkonen allowed eight goals and had a save percentage of only .784.
The slow start, combined with an incredible performance by Colten Ellis against the Minnesota Wild, puts a lot of pressure on Luukkonen to have. a great game against Dallas. The goalie rotation is still very much up for grabs and with Alex Lyon also close to returning, opportunities to stake his claim as the starter are not going to be as easily available.
Josh Doan
There is no question that expectations were incredibly high for Josh Doan entering this season after a great first season in Buffalo last year with 52 points. He even began this season on the top line alongside Tage Thompson.
However, through three games, he has no points and only four shots on goal. He seemingly lost his spot in the rotation in the third period against Minnesota, with only one shift and 37 seconds of ice time in the final 17:30 of that period.
On Wednesday, head coach Lindy Ruff said he talked with Josh Doan and really doesn't have any concerns. However, made it clear what he needs from the forward:
"I had a conversation with him today about what made him so effective. Hounding pucks, and being first to the puck, and getting around the net, and tips, and rebounds, and all that."
It will be interesting to see if Doan is able to bounce back and play like Ruff knows he can.
Josh Norris
Josh Norris also has had a tough start to the season and is under some pressure to deliver some production sooner rather than later. He also began the season on the top line with Thompson but has only one point and two shots on goal through three games.
In the third period against the Wild, Norris was also moved down and replaced by Peyton Krebs, who made an immediate impact with an assist on Tage Thompson's game-tying goal.
It will be interesting what the lines look like for the game against the Wild, as the Sabres kept their third period lines in practice on Wednesday. If they stick with those lines, then Norris will be on the third line with Ryan McLeod and Konsta Helenius.
Maybe moving off the top line can create a little more space and opportunity for Josh Norris because the Sabres are going to need him to start producing more.
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