The Buffalo Sabres came up short once again on the road and this time against the Winnipeg Jets, a team they beat 5-1 earlier in the week. After the game, Lindy Ruff made it clear that it might be time for a big shakeup with the lines, but didn't really dive into what those changes might be.
If the Sabres are serious about making changes, these are three things that they should look to do with their lines ahead of the game on Monday night against the Calgary Flames.
Prediction #1: Buffalo Sabres must move Tage Thompson back to center
This is something they have flirted with at times this season but when Tage Thompson is at center, he is his most effective and playing his best for the Buffalo Sabres. Earlier this season, Thompson had a six-game streak with at least one goal and spent a majority of those games at center.
However, since that streak, Thompson has moved back to the wing and over the last six games has had only one point. One of the reasons he is back on the wing is the return of Josh Norris, but there is no question that Thompson is a difference maker for the team when he is at center, and any line changes need to start with Thompson at this position and let the rest of the lines fall where they may.
Prediction #2: Bring back the Josh Doan-Ryan McLeod-Alex Tuch line
Earlier this season, the Sabres' most productive line was the combination of Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod, and Alex Tuch. According to MoneyPuck, these three have the most ice minutes together of any line on the Sabres, but more importantly, were the most productive with an X Goals % of 64.8%, which is almost six percentage points higher than the next line.
Through the first part of the season, Josh Doan has been one of the best players on the ice for the Sabres or at the very least the most consistent. Through 28 games he has eight goals and 11 assists and has already tied his previous career high in points with 19.
When pairing him with Ryan McLeod and Alex Tuch it gives the Sabres a really balanced line and probably their best two-way forward line that can help not only score but get back to help the defense.
Prediction #3: Break up Bo Byram and Connor Timmins
On defense, the Sabres are really limited in what they can do because they currently only have six defensemen healthy on the roster. Michael Kesselring looks to be close to returning, but isn't on this road trip, so at the very least will be out for the next four games.
Even with limited options, one thing is clear, and that is the Sabres need to split up Bo Byram and Connor Timmins because this pair is just not working. This season, these two have the second-most minutes together of any defensive pair at 190 minutes and behind only Samuelsson and Dahlin.
However, they have the second-worst x Goals % at 47% according to MoneyPuck.
It will be interesting to see what they do with their defense and it might mean breaking up Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin. That certainly means breaking up their best pair but at the very least it can help with some of the other pairs for this blueline.