The Buffalo Sabres got the win on Tuesday night to extend their win streak to eight after a 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. It may not have had the excitement that the last game against the Lightning had, but fans still went home happy.
Jack Quinn and his first career hat-trick dominated the headlines from this game, but there was a play by Zach Benson in the second period that teammates recognized after the game. It was something that might go unnoticed by fans but spoke volumes to the players in the locker room.
The play itself came in the second period when Tage Thompson was taken out with a low hit by Dmitry Orlov, Zach Benson wasted no time in standing up for his teammate. It was a situation where Benson was giving up about 30 pounds to Orlov, but that didn't matter in that moment.
Rasmus Dahlin was asked about that play after the game and had this to say, "That's what we do in this locker room, and big respect for Benny. He stands up for his teammates and is an incredible teammate. I'm not surprised at all but proud of him."
Even Logan Stanley, who was playing in his first game with the Buffalo Sabres and did so without practice, was asked if those moments bring a team together, and he said '100%'. He went on to say, "You have to have team toughness to win in the playoffs. They have been showing it throughout the year and especially since I have been here."
When the team's captain and a player who just joined the team can recognize a play like this, it is probably a feeling that is shared throughout the locker room.
Could Zach Benson's role be increasing with the Buffalo Sabres?
Benson has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries over the course of the season and missed a few games before the Olympic break with an upper-body injury, and then missed the first game coming out of the break due to an illness.
After being under 10 minutes of ice time twice in the three games back, he has now had 14:15 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and 16:25 in the game against the Sharks. Since his return, Benson has primarily been on the fourth line with how well Peyton Krebs has played as of late.
However, it seems that he might be losing some minutes to Benson on the top line. Earlier in the season, Benson was on the line with Tage Thompson and was incredibly productive, including a four-assist game in the first game of the season.
Plays that Benson made on Tuesday against the Sharks won't be the only reason he could see a promotion back to the first line but it certainly help the former first-round pick over the next few weeks and into the playoffs.