The Buffalo Sabres have 19 scored goals in their last 4 games.
Dylan Cozens has 9 points in his last 4 games. Tage Thompson is on pace for 111 points. Rasmus Dahlin is on pace for 98 points.
Is it time to party like it’s 1993?
By the Numbers 📊
Record: 11-13-1 (23 points) | Division: 7th | League: 25th
5v5 Expected Goals-For Percentage (xGF%): 50.7% (17th in the NHL)
5v5 Goals-For Percentage (GF%): 49.8% (15th in the NHL)
Quick Hits
Dylan Cozens was named the NHL 2nd Star of the Week after recording 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) in 4 games
Eric Comrie has returned to light skating and remains week-to-week
The Kids Line: Rush offense to the highest degree
The Sabres line consisting of Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens, and JJ Peterka has been on an absolute tear as of late. Not only is this line the youngest in the NHL, it also may very well be the best offensive line in the NHL.
No line in the NHL this season with at least 60 minutes of 5v5 ice time has come close to touching the Peterka-Cozens-Quinn line in Expected Goals For per 60:
Expected goals are great, but it’s the actual goals that matter and this line has been great at that too. They have produced 5.79 Goals per 60 at 5v5, which ranks 5th in the NHL. It’s only behind two McDavid lines, Florida’s top line, and Seattle’s top line.
With strong expected results underlying the strong actual results, it reveals that this line is more than just some puck luck. They are getting well-deserved goals through high-quality opportunities.
How is this line so dangerous? They are elite on the rush. Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka have developed a strong chemistry in Rochester and Dylan Cozens has been the perfect fit as a speedy, do-it-all center man.
While not all three players on this line are blessed with elite speed, they can all play fast. They can receive and distribute pucks in motion, they can exploit pockets of space, they can manipulate defenders, they can get off shots in traffic. They can really do it all.
Let’s have a look at JJ Peterka’s goal against the Sharks:
The do-it-all center in Dylan Cozens makes a proper risk assessment read as he goes behind his net to retrieve a loose puck. He hits JJ Peterka with a cross-ice breakout pass, Peterka corrals it with his skate, and off to the races he goes.
Let’s look at one more goal just for fun:
This one is just generated by the pure speed and puck-carrying ability of Dylan Cozens. Jack Quinn is a high-end finisher. And that’s a goal. This line can beat their opponent in a variety of ways if they are not careful.
The 37 and 71 Problem
It has been no secret that the combo of Casey Mittelstadt and Victor Olofsson have struggled when sent out there at 5v5 together this season. Their ice time has decreased, but the coaching staff is adamant in keeping those two together:
This duo has not been great. They have been outscored 11 to 3 at 5v5 this season. They have been outshot 115 to 85. Really just a whole lot of not-good stuff, but the coaching staff is continuing to stick with these two (for now).
Prospects Update: Savoie snubbed from Canada
Hockey Canada released their camp roster for the upcoming 2023 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships on Monday and Sabres’ prospect Matt Savoie was a notable omission:
Savoie’s season has not exactly gone as expected production-wise, but he has still put up a solid 29 points in 23 games for the Winnipeg Ice in the WHL.
It is a bit surprising to see the 8th overall pick from the previous NHL Draft left off the camp roster, but 11th overall pick Conor Geekie and 12th overall pick Denton Mateychuk were also left at home. It appears as if Canada is trying to build a well-rounded roster rather than an all-star team, one that leans heavily on older players.
In other Sabres World Juniors news, Isak Rosén and Noah Östlund were named to Sweden’s roster:
Jiri Kulich is expected to be named to Czechia’s roster. Topias Leinonen and Viljami Marjala will both be in the running for Finland’s roster.
Game Preview: Sabres @ Blue Jackets, 12/7/22, 7:30 PM ET
I don’t like calling December regular season hockey games must-win games, but the Sabres should beat a struggling Blue Jackets side if they want to keep their playoff dreams alive
Blue Jackets by the Numbers 📊
Record: 8-14-2 (18 points) | Division: 8th | League: 30th
5v5 Expected Goals-For Percentage (xGF%): 43.8% (28th in the NHL)
5v5 Goals-For Percentage (GF%): 40.1% (30th in the NHL)
Scouting the Blue Jackets
Not Great Anything: name an area of the game (power play, 5v5 offense, 5v5 defense, goaltending, etc.) and the Blue Jackets have struggled with it
Susceptible to the Rush: Columbus’ style of play to kickstart their offense (long passes) forces the team to be extra susceptible to the rush, a good sign for the Sabres top two lines
Back-to-Back: the Blue Jackets are on the second half of a back-to-back heading into tonight’s matchup vs. the Sabres
Players to Watch
Dylan Cozens (BUF): I am going to go with the hot hand here and pick Dylan Cozens as my player to watch tonight. He has 9 points in his last 4 games and should be able to feast on the rush against a tired Blue Jackets side
Kirill Marchenko (CBJ): the Russian prospect began his season in the AHL, but he was recently called up to the big leagues. He plays a very skillful game and could provide the boost of energy that CBJ needs