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Razor Sharp Swords

September 23, 2018, 8:49 AM ET [10 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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Same, @jackeichel11.

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Take heed Buffalo Sabres fans.

There is a lot to be thankful for in Buffalo, that’s for sure.

The finished the second week of training camp playing four games in six nights.

The Sabres won two of the four preseason games and could have won all four.

Granted, Phil Housley didn’t ice the same roster in every exhibition game. However, there were many similarities to take note of in each game.

The Sabres have created and revealed their identity.

Their compete level has been remarkable. All players are battling and supporting one another. This group of Sabres is creative, fast, feisty, and very fun to watch. The 2018-19 Buffalo Sabres will battle through adversity for sixty minutes. This is not your taking Sabres circa 2015. Not at all. It’s been refreshing to watch the prospects and free agents at all positions compete and battle for recognition.

There is an accountability factor inside this Sabres group. Unlike last season's Sabres team, the players in Buffalo are not afraid to call one another out for making mistakes. How else will they make improvements if they cannot take constructive criticism from peers?






This by far is the most competitive, tense, hard-working Sabres training camp I’ve witnessed in the past decade. No free lunches. No participation awards. No country club attitude. The intensity is military-like.This team is as gritty as it is highly skilled. The forwards are stopping on pucks and holding onto it for longer periods of time. The collective back check has been impressive. The defensemen are involved in the rush every shift and are keeeping the net front clean for the goalies.

Housley is teaching and reinforcing the fundamentals of hockey and he has the undivided attention of all players.

This season, NHL opponents better be ready to play the Sabres or else they will get embarrassed.

The Sabres have scored first in all four exhibition games played thus far.

Unlike in Sabres seasons past, the goal scoring has been consistent and balanced throughout the lineup.

The Sabres scored 12 goals in the four exhibition games this week while allowing 11 goals against. Eight of the goals for were scored by seven different shooters while at even strength: Jeff Skinner, Andrew Oglevie, C.J. Smith, Jake McCabe, Tage Thompson, Patrik Berglund, Kyle Criscuolo.

The Sabres have scored three power play goals (Okposo, Sobotka, Beaulieu) and one a shorthanded goal by Jack Eichel.

Tage Thompson, Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart have two assists apiece after four games played while Lawrence Pilut, Alex Nylander, Vlad Sobotka, Scott Wilson, Evan Rodrigues, and Tyler Randell have single assists.

The top six forward group is providing primary scoring. The defensemen are chipping in on offense.

The third line is providing secondary scoring.

The fourth line is providing energy when called upon to do so.

Buffalo’s power play is 3 for 15 and creating a ton of scoring chances after four exhibition games.

The Buffalo penalty kill looks strong. In four games played, the Sabres have successfully killed off 9 of 10 penalties.

The Sabres are averaging 29 shots on opposing goalies.

Sabres goalies have been outstanding in all four games. Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark are making big saves at key junctures togive their team a chance to counter attack and create scoring chances.

The Sabres have two fighting majors and are letting it be known that they will not be pushed around this season.

The Sabres are laying the body, averaging 23.5 hits per game thus far.

It will be a busy week ahead with three away games in four nights. Housley said Saturday night that he and Jason Botterill will not be making roster cuts before the final three games. Housley is committed to evaluating each and every player on his merits and play inside games.





The battles for Buffalo roster spots will continue this week. Recently acquirred left winger Conor Sheary has not been on the ice simce last Saturday due to injury. Sheary may be returning to the lineup by the middle of this week. Alex Nylander wants to stick and stay in Buffalo. He wants to be the injury replacement LW if Sheary cannot make his return until next week of the week after. The former 8th overall pick (2016) has played with passion and purpose in September. I like his chances.

Oh, by the way. Rasmus Dahlin is going to be the NHL Rookie of The Year in 2018-19. This kid is special. His talent and hockey IQ are world class and off the charts!


The present tense and future look very bright for the Buffalo Sabres.








Thanks for reading.




_______________________________________________________________________

San Jose Sharks fans got a double-dip of fun on Saturday night.


The Sharks introduced their new third jerset "The Stealth". Oh, by the way. Erik Karlsson was the celebrity model for the new sweater design. It was Karlsson's first official on ice recognition by the Sharks. Of course, the barn went crazy when Karlsson skated out to ceter ice.


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