NHL coaches often rely on gut instinct, but the latest data on the recent win streak for the Buffalo Sabres suggests Lindy Ruff has stumbled upon a statistical gold mine. While the Sabres' recent road trip started in a slump, a massive shift in the lineup has unlocked Tage Thompson in a way the traditional box score couldn't have predicted.
Midway through their road trip, the Buffalo Sabres needed to shake things up. They had lost their first three games of the six-game road trip and had only three goals in 5v5 situations during that stretch.
The changes Lindy Ruff made at the time seemed to raise some concerns as the Sabres moved Peyton Krebs, who had primarily been on the fourth line, up to the top line next to Tage Thompson. It was hard to imagine that moving a player who had no goals and eight assists through 29 games up to the top line would be a smart move.
However, Peyton Krebs has been a perfect compliment next to Tage Thompson as he does a lot of the little things that makes a team successful. There is no better example then the end of the game against the New Jersey Devils.
The Sabres were trying to hold onto a 2-1 lead late in the third period when Tage Thompson would fire the puck towards the empty net. However, Thompson missed it wide but Krebs showed off great hustle to beat the Devils down to the puck to not only avoid icing but score to secure the win but also score his first goal of the season.
Tage Thompson is also playing some of his best hockey this season with Peyton Krebs on the ice
Krebs is not a player who is going to fill up the stat sheet but Tage Thompson has certainly benefited from having him on his line. Thompson saw a six-game goal streak come to an end against the New Jersey Devils but a majority of those goals came with Krebs on his line.
Since December 9th, these two have had nearly 80 minutes of ice time and have had 5 goals in 5v5 situations, with four of them being high-danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. Meanwhile, the rest of the team has combined for six goals and only one high-danger goal without Peyton Krebs and Tage Thompson on the ice.
Buffalo Sabres should be looking for an upgrade but for now this line is working
As new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen starts to evaluate the roster and see what moves are needed to improve their playoff chances, one area that should be a focus is an upgrade in the Top 6 of the forwards. While Peyton Krebs has done well, and Tage Thompson seemingly does better with Krebs on the ice, this is a spot that they could use an upgrade.
Krebs has shown he can contribute on the top line but is more better suited in the middle of the fourth line. However, what Krebs has done is buy the Sabres some time and they don't need to rush into making a move for this position.
They have been given the chance to be a little more patient and find the right deal for the right player instead of reaching for an upgrade. For a new general manager, that is all he can ask for during the season.