The Buffalo Sabres' season, which appeared on the brink of total collapse a few weeks ago, is suddenly alive and well thanks to a six-game winning streak. One question rises above the rest when it comes to figuring out whether the improved performance is sustainable, though.
Can Josh Norris stay healthy?
It's a common refrain dating back to the injury-prone center's time with the Ottawa Senators. He's never played more than 66 games in a season, and he's missed 158 of a possible 281 games since the start of the 2022-23 NHL campaign.
Norris returned from his latest ailment, a brief illness, on Dec. 14. He's tallied three points in four games in those contests, all Sabres victories. For the season, he's recorded 10 points (four goals and six assists) in nine appearances.
It's the type of high-end offensive production Buffalo expected when it acquired him from Ottawa ahead of last season's trade deadline. Keeping him on the ice adds much-needed offensive firepower to a lineup that has a limited number of game-changing forwards.
Before the season, Norris talked about wanting to put the injury-prone label in his rear-view mirror for good. Now's his chance to do exactly that while helping the Blue and Gold make a serious push to finally end the franchise's 14-year playoff drought.
Let's take a look at the latest installment of our Sabres player grades series, which focuses on Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the New York Islanders.
Rasmus Dahlin, Alex Lyon help carry the Buffalo Sabres to a Dec. 20 victory against the New York Islanders
Sabres player grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Rasmus Dahlin | 9 |
Alex Lyon | 8.5 |
Josh Norris | 8 |
Alex Tuch | 7.5 |
Tage Thompson | 7.5 |
Noah Ostlund | 7 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 6.5 |
Josh Doan | 6.5 |
Beck Malenstyn | 6 |
Peyton Krebs | 6 |
Jordan Greenway | 5.5 |
Josh Dunne | 5.5 |
Bowen Byram | 5 |
Zach Metsa | 5 |
Zach Benson | 4.5 |
Michael Kesselring | 4 |
Ryan McLeod | 3 |
Jack Quinn | 2.5 |
Owen Power | 2 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Rasmus Dahlin
Dahlin took a three-game leave of absence in early November to spend time with his fiancée, Carolina, while she recovers from a heart transplant in Sweden. Since his return, the All-Star defenseman has compiled 19 points (three goals and 16 assists) in 18 games.
Those are the type of Norris Trophy-caliber numbers everyone expected from the 25-year-old superstar coming into the campaign, and his play in the defensive end has been equally as impressive. He's been a force in all three zones for Buffalo.
Dahlin finished the Isles clash with a goal, five shots, a hit and a plus-1 rating in nearly 26 minutes of ice time.
Turning his season, which started off slow for understandable reasons, around was vital for Buffalo given the underwhelming production from fellow blueliners Owen Power and Bowen Byram. The strong play of Mattias Samuelsson has also provided a massive boost.
Now, with Dahlin playing elite hockey, Samuelsson continuing to surge and Michael Kesselring returning to the lineup, the Sabres have the pieces to ice one of the league's most complete defensive corps, especially if Power and Byram elevate their offensive play.
Sabres quick hits
- Alex Lyon was tremendous again, stopping 32 of the 34 shots sent his way before giving up just one in the shootout on five Islanders attempts. He should continue to receive a lion's share of the starts for the time being.
- Tage Thompson scored for the sixth straight game and, even though that streak ended Sunday against the New Jersey Devils, he's now on pace for 42 goals.
- Jack Quinn didn't have a standout performance but he delivered a perfectly placed shot in the shootout before Norris netted the winner.
- A better showing from Jordan Greenway, though he was only trusted to see 9:33 of ice time.
- Zach Metsa, who's having a strong season for the AHL's Rochester Americans, held his own in his first NHL appearance in nearly two months.