Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram failed to light the lamp during the club's recently completed four-game road trip, which extended his goal drought to 28 contests. He hasn't scored since a Jan. 10 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.
Coincidentally, the Sabres wrapped up their West Coast swing Sunday night with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Ducks. Byram tallied an assist to snap a six-game pointless streak, but he's now closing in on the longest goal drought of his career at 36 games.
The extended stretch without finding the net comes on the heels of a stretch where Byram scored nine times over the previous 27 games. He was the match that helped light the club's offensive spark, which led to the Blue and Gold's current 33-6-3 run to climb the NHL standings.
His underlying numbers have also trended in a concerning direction, though.
Byram ranks sixth among nine Sabres defensemen in 5-on-5 expected goals for percentage (xGF%) since the goal drought began at 47.9% and he seventh in high-danger chance rate over the same span at 47.2%, according to Natural Stat Trick.
While it's important for the squad to get the 2019 first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche back on track, he's also facing a key stretch on an individual level.
Byram's future in Buffalo is uncertain. He's under contract through next season, but the team's front office is facing an offseason salary-cap crunch and moving a defenseman could be necessary to create some financial flexibility, especially if it wants to re-sign Alex Tuch.
The 24-year-old Canadian has also spent the past few seasons trying to prove he can emerge as a first-pair defender capable of serving as a top power-play quarterback. It's a role that isn't going to come available with the Sabres due to the presence of captain Rasmus Dahlin.
If Byram wants to earn that type of starring role, and the lucrative contract that comes with it, leaving Buffalo is probably the only way to achieve it.
That's a conversation that could take center stage over the summer. For now, however, the focus will be on trying to get the 2022 Stanley Cup champion clicking on all cylinders offensively again to boost the Sabres' attacking options as the playoffs draw closer.
Byram's talent isn't in doubt, and he's still using his skating ability to make key plays defensively, but finding more consistency will be key moving forward.
Meanwhile, let's dive into another edition of our Sabres player grades series focusing on Saturday's 4-1 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings.
Buffalo Sabres' fourth line continues impressive run in March 21 win over the LA Kings
Sabres player grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Zach Benson | 9.5 |
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | 9 |
Sam Carrick | 8.5 |
Beck Malenstyn | 8.5 |
Rasmus Dahlin | 8 |
Tage Thompson | 7.5 |
Josh Norris | 7.5 |
Zach Metsa | 7.5 |
Peyton Krebs | 7 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 7 |
Owen Power | 6.5 |
Josh Doan | 6.5 |
Noah Ostlund | 6 |
Alex Tuch | 5.5 |
Bowen Byram | 5 |
Logan Stanley | 4.5 |
Ryan McLeod | 4 |
Jack Quinn | 3 |
Jason Zucker | 2.5 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Zach Benson
Benson has done a terrific job in more limited minutes recently. Head coach Lindy Ruff likes the defensive element Peyton Krebs brings to the first line alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, which has relegated the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to the fourth line.
A lot of young players would be frustrated by the demotion, but the 5-foot-10 winger brings the same relentless work ethic to the ice every night. So, he's helped boost the bottom line, which has been highly effective as of late with him, Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn.
Benson tallied an empty-net goal, an assist and a pair of takeaways in Saturday's victory over the Kings. He added another goal and helper in Sunday's OT loss to the Ducks. The four-point weekend came despite a modest 27 minutes of playing time.
Ruff still gives the hardworking forward some shifts on the top line when the team needs a jolt of energy, but Benson is proving he can find success anywhere in the lineup. That kind of impactful depth will be crucial in the postseason.
Sabres quick hits
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 26 of Los Angeles' 27 shots as he continues to make his case as Buffalo's potential Game 1 playoff starter.
- Zach Metsa remained remarkably efficient with an assist, two blocked shots and a hit in 14 minutes. He's certainly emerged as the group's unsung hero.
- The third line of Ryan McLeod, Jack Quinn and Jason Zucker has hit a little bit of a lull after a tremendous stretch coming out of the Olympic break.
- This game felt like a playoff contest as it remained deadlocked at one until deep in the third period. It was a good test of the Sabres' ability to handle pressure on the road.