The Buffalo Sabres made some in-game line changes in their loss to the Florida Panthers, but if practice on Tuesday is any indication, that isn't the only change. In fact, two young players have a great opportunity ahead of them to make a big impact if these are the lines used against the Philadelphia Flyers.
On Monday night in the game against the Panthers, head coach Lindy Ruff moved Zach Benson up to the top line in place of Peyton Krebs. It was a move that paid off almost immediately as Benson would score a goal off a shot by Tage Thompson in the second period.
Tuesday's practice confirmed that the Benson-Thompson experiment is more than a mid-game adjustment. However, Lindy Ruff didn’t stop there; he shuffled all four units, signaling a total recalibration of the forward group. Here is how the new-look lines stack up ahead of the matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.
Buffalo Sabres Top Line: Zach Benson - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch
For roughly the last month, the Sabres have had Krebs on the top line with Tage Thompson and Josh Doan. However, the Sabres could give him two new linemates while keeping him at center, which is the right move as he has been excellent at the position.
While Zach Benson and Alex Tuch are new, Thompson has had plenty of ice time with both this season. Benson and Thompson have been on the ice together for 160 minutes this season, while Thompson and Tuch have been together for almost 174 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Buffalo Sabres 2nd Line: Noah Ostlund - Josh Norris - Josh Doan
It is surprising to see Lindy Ruff move Josh Doan off the top line, given his chemistry with Tage Thompson. However, this line has tremendous potential, and Noah Ostlund is in the best position to really show what he can do at the NHL level playing next to these two players.
Ostlund has played in 32 games in what is his first season as a full-time NHL player, and so far this season has seven goals and five assists. There is no question that teams are going to be focused on trying to contain Norris, who has 16 points in 18 games, and Doan, who is second on the team in goals.
The extra attention to those players should open up scoring chances for Ostlund and put him in a position to show he can be a Top 6 player.
Buffalo Sabres 3rd Line: Jason Zucker - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn
Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn have been together most of the season and have just over 300 minutes of ice time together. These two together have been solid and on the season have a GF% of 58.62% with 17 goals for and 12 against.
The addition of Zucker certainly makes sense, and these three should complement each other nicely. They are not necessarily going to scare opposing teams with their offensive skill set, but will play a good two-way game that makes this combination a lot of sense.
Buffalo Sabres 4th Line: Jordan Greenway - Peyton Krebs - Beck Malenstyn
Finally, the Sabres' fourth line is one that is going to frustrate opposing teams, as they are going to just grind whoever they are playing. They are going to do a good job keeping the puck away, and in a small sample size of 45 minutes of ice time this season has a Corsi For % of 55.81%.
It won't be pretty from this line but they are going to be effective and what they are asked to do, like controlling the puck and forechecking, they will do that well.