The Buffalo Sabres have struggled as of late, and one of the consistent themes during this recent stretch has been a lack of intensity and fight. It is hard to pinpoint exactly why the Sabres have found themselves in this position, but a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning could wake them up.
After the Sabres' latest game, a 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, head coach Lindy Ruff was asked how he feels the team is handling the elevated intensity. "I think the opponent has won that battle," Ruff said.
He was then asked towards the end of the press conference if the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning is the perfect chance to get the intensity back. "Should be, for sure. A game where there was a lot of intensity last time, and maybe it's exactly what we need right now."
There is no question that the last time the Sabres played the Lightning was a great example of intensity. It was a game with the two teams combining for over 100 penalty minutes, 65 hits and the Sabres were able to overcome a two-goal deficit in the third to win 8-7.
They are going to need a similar level of compete in this game, and these are four Buffalo Sabres who can set that tone and give Lindy Ruff the intensity he is looking for.
Tage Thompson
For the Buffalo Sabres, it needs to start with their leaders, and that includes Tage Thompson. After the game against the Capitals, Brian Koziol quoted Thompson, saying, "I've got to be better, and it starts with me."
Thompson certainly has the chance to deliver on that against the Lightning, a team he has been successful against this season. In three games, he has combined for six points and had four assists in the last game against Tampa Bay. It was also a game where he showed some physicality that isn't always present, where he had four hits, which was the third most in a game this season.
The Sabres need to set the tone early, and Thompson can be the catalyst with that across the board from what he does in the offensive and defensive zones.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
One of the strengths of this team for almost the entire season has been the goaltender position. However, that wasn't the case against the Capitals as Alex Lyon allowed three in the first period before being pulled for Colton Ellis, who allowed three the remainder of the game.
The Sabres notably made a change to their goalie rotation, which alternated almost every game the past few months between Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon. However, Luukkonen has gotten the start in three straight games before the Capitals game.
Luukkonen should be back in net against the Lightning, a team he gave up seven goals to the last time they played. There have been plenty of times over the course of the season where a big save by the Sabres' goalie has been able to spark a run to swing momentum back in favor of Buffalo.
This is the type of game that the Sabres are going to need a standout performance from Luukkonen to help keep the game within reach and give them that boost.
Josh Doan
Josh Doan has had an incredible first season with the Buffalo Sabres and earned a long-term extension with the franchise. He is a do-it-all type forward that can help a team be successful, but has been in a bit of a slump recently, with no points and a +/- of -7 in the last six games.
In the last game against the Lightning, Doan had the deciding goal with a power-play goal in the third period to give the Sabres the 8-7 lead. However, that wasn't his only goal as he also had a power-play goal in the first period to open the scoring.
The Sabres could use some power-play production as they have gone 0-for-7 over the last two games. The margin of error is going to be small in this game, and Josh Doan can help in so many ways that it wouldn't be surprising if he is the difference maker in a Sabres' win.
Beck Malenstyn
If the last game is an indication, there will be plenty of physicality, and the Sabres are going to have to match that. One player that could certainly do that is Beck Malenstyn, who leads the Sabres in hits with 261 and is nearly 80 more than Peyton Krebs, who is second on the team.
The fourth-line production hasn't been the same since Sam Carrick suffered his injury against the New York Islanders. The Sabres are finding out how tough it is to replace Carrick's production, but Beck Malenstyn has shown an ability to create in the offensive zone, as he did against the Capitals with a goal.
For Malenstyn, the focus is to be a physical presence on the ice, but if he could add a goal in this game, it would be a big boost for this line and the Sabres as a whole.
The Buffalo Sabres have struggled to match the intensity against teams as of late, which has been a concern. It will be interesting if any of these players are able to change the Sabres' fortunes in a must-win game against the Lightning if they hope to win the Atlantic Division.