The Buffalo Sabres are heading into their biggest challenge yet, and three players are set to be pushed into new spots when they face the Minnesota Wild.
Buffalo had to dig itself out of trouble in its last game, rallying from a 2-0 deficit against the Chicago Blackhawks to pull out a 4-3 win after a rough opening stretch. That comeback kept the Sabres from dropping their second straight to start the season.
Now comes a different kind of test: a Wild team that has opened 2-0 and outscored its first two opponents 7-2. Minnesota is viewed as a Stanley Cup contender, which makes this matchup a clean measuring stick for Buffalo.
Noah Ostlund is one of the players who could matter most. He’s already been part of the Sabres’ best line to start the year, skating with Zach Benson and Jack Quinn.
In two games, Ostlund has two assists, both coming in the opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sabres will need that line to help at 5-on-5, but there’s another place where Ostlund could swing the game: the power play.
On Monday, Lindy Ruff moved him onto the top unit and replaced Josh Doan. That matters because Buffalo is 0-for-8 on the power play through two games, and chances like that can’t be wasted against Minnesota.
Jiri Kulich is also in line for a different look. The Sabres are likely to move him back to center and slot him on the third line against the Wild.
Buffalo already tried that in the third period against Chicago, pairing Kulich with Konsta Helenius and Peyton Krebs. The sample was tiny - just over three minutes of ice time - but that group posted the best xGF% of any Sabres line in that game at 76.21%.
The next question is whether that can hold up over a full night.
Then there’s Colten Ellis, who appears set for his season debut. Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic noted from Monday’s practice that Ellis was in the starter net, and he looks to be the guy against Minnesota.
It’s a major assignment for a young goalie, but it also gives him a chance to make a real impression. Ellis was the third goalie in the rotation last season, but injuries opened the door and he ended up making 14 starts, going 8-4-2.
His start also comes with Alex Lyon dealing with a shoulder injury.
If Ellis comes through against the Wild, he could do more than just steady the Sabres for one night. He could put himself in position to take the backup job from Lyon.
For Buffalo, this game is about more than surviving a tough opponent. If these three players deliver in their new roles, the Sabres could walk away with a second straight win and a shot at building an early-season streak.
In Other News...
Sabres Win Came With A Wild Injury Scare Fans Will Notice
The Sabres overtime win over Minnesota carried an unsettling moment for the visitors when Wild forward Nick Foligno left the game early with an upper-body injury. Foligno was in the middle of his first full season with the Wild after being acquired last season and then re-signing on a one-year deal, a setup that has made him a familiar veteran presence in their lineup.
Folignos night ended long before the final horn, and Minnesota had to play through the rest of the game without him as the matchup drifted into overtime. For Buffalo, the result was a needed divisional-style victory, but the injury scare was the kind of development fans notice immediately, especially when it involves a seasoned player still trying to settle into a new team. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Have An Early Josh Doan Concern Ruff Just Amplified
Josh Doans start with the Sabres has been a little quieter than anyone would have expected after the winger signed a recent contract extension and came off a strong previous season. Through Buffalos first three games, he has not produced a point, and the early lack of offense has stood out on a team still sorting out its lines and roles. Beck Malenstyn, another player who recently got extended, has also been held off the score sheet, though his value has shown up in the less glamorous areas with hits and penalty killing.
Lindy Ruff added a layer to Doans sluggish opening when he pointed to a minor lower-body issue that may be affecting him, which at least offers some explanation for the limited impact so far. Buffalo does not need panic over three games, but it is the kind of early development worth watching closely, especially for a player the club clearly sees as part of its future and hoped would bring more than just energy on the forecheck. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Just Found The Confidence Boost Lindy Ruff Needed
The Sabres needed something to steady the group, and they found it in a messy, earned win over Minnesota. Buffalo rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period, leaned on a better penalty kill, and came away with a 3-2 overtime victory that had the feel of a much-needed reset for Lindy Ruffs team.
Ruffs lineup adjustments helped spark the turnaround, with the coach mixing the lines and defense pairs in search of more traction. Owen Power finished the job in overtime, giving Buffalo a win that not only added two points but also offered a timely confidence boost as the Sabres try to build something more sustainable. [Read more 🡒]