The Buffalo Sabres were looking for a bounce-back game after dropping a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. They were able to do just that in front of the home crowd as they beat the Detroit Red Wings by the same final score.
It was arguably the best performance as a team, and they need everyone on the roster to contribute. However, these were four players in particular who stood out for the Sabres and played a major role in getting the win.
4 Buffalo Sabres who stood out against the Detroit Red Wings
Colten Ellis
The Buffalo Sabres have gotten great play in the crease this season from Alex Lyon, but after playing the first six games of the season, he would get the night off. There was certainly an element of risk with the decision as Colten Ellis had yet to play in an NHL game and was facing one of the hottest teams in the NHL in the Detroit Red Wings, who had won five straight.
Ellis, especially early in the game, wasn't asked to do a whole lot but he did have to make big saves that kept the game within reach. Twice in the first period, the Red Wings had great breakaway chances that Ellis was able to block away to keep the game scoreless going into the second period.
He finished the game saving 27 of 29 shots, and this should give the coaching staff confidence in Ellis if he needs to make another start here in the near future.
Jack Quinn
Jack Quinn has quietly put together some solid performances over the past few games, starting with two goals against the Ottawa Senators. He would have an assist against the Montreal Canadiens before leading the Sabres tonight in points with three with one goal and two assists.
Quinn is a player that fans have hoped to see more from in terms of production after being selected in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Last season, he had a career-high in points with 39 but also had a career-worst in +/- at -18.
Hopefully, this early-season production is a sign that he will finally have that breakout season for Buffalo.
Tyson Kozak
After no goals through the first four games of the season, he has now scored goals in back-to-back games. He is a player who continues to deliver when on the ice, and that is something that has been increasing over the past few games.
On Wednesday against the Red Wings, Kozak had a season-high in ice time at 15:46 after averaging around 10 minutes per game this season. The injury to Jason Zucker might have played a role in the increased ice time but Kozak didn't let the opportunity slip away.
Connor Timmins
The Buffalo Sabres collectively as a group did a great job defending the Red Wings and particularly limiting the chances they had to shot on Ellis. This group is not short of star power with players like Rasmus Dahlin, but Connor Timmins is one who consistently delivers almost every night.
In the game against the Red Wings, Timmins had two assists but led all Sabres in time on ice at 22:39, including 2:48 of penalty kill time.
The Sabres are hoping to get this group back to full in the near future with the potential return of Michael Kesselring, but one of the reasons they have been able to manage his absence so well has been the play of Timmins.