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Line juggling to kick off a five-game western road trip for Sabres

October 13, 2018, 6:45 PM ET [213 Comments]

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"He's been held off the board as far as goals go, so I'm trying to get him going. They think the game alike and we're just trying to encourage some chemistry."
--Sabres head coach Phil Housley on left wing Jeff Skinner

Actually Housley was incorrect with that quote to the gathered media yesterday as Skinner has been held off the scoreboard completely with zero's across the board in four games as a Buffalo Sabre. That zero extends over into the plus/minus category as well and seems rather fitting as the 26 yr. old former first round pick (seventh-overall, 2010) has spent most of his time on a line with two-way center Patrik Berglund (who also has an even plus/minus rating.)

The problem with the Sabres so far this season during their 2-2-0 start is lack of scoring in their losses, both of which were against playoff teams from last season. The Boston Bruins put the hammerlock on Buffalo in the first game of the season with a 4-0 shutout while the Colorado Avalanche laid a 6-1 whoopin' on them two days ago. The Sabres begins a five games in 11 nights western road trip beginning tonight in Arizona.

Housley moved rookie Casey Mittelstadt in between Skinner and winger Kyle Okposo, who was also without a goal playing on Berglund's right. Skinner is a three-time 30-goal scorer while Okposo is a three-time 20-goal scorer who also needs to get going (two assists in four games this season.)

Skinner actually started out this season on the top line with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart but was moved down a couple of games into the season. Conor Sheary replaced Skinner on Eichel's left wing and it looks as if the trio has developed some good chemistry in the short time they've been together.

Buffalo's offensive problem through the first four games of the season has centered around lack of 5v5 and secondary scoring. The Eichel line has played well but has been under tremendous pressure from the opposition's best checkers. Lines two and three from Buffalo have been shut out while the fourth line of Evan Rodrigues centering Zemgus Girgensons and Jason Pominville has contributed one goal. The Sabres have two goals from defensemen which is worth noting since last season they didn't have a defenseman score until December.

Despite the scoring woes, there doesn't seem to be a lot of panic in Sabreland when it comes to Skinner and to an extent, Okposo. Both players, especially Skinner, know how to score and it's a matter of getting them going.

Mittelstadt hasn't exactly been lighting it up, with one assist in four games but Housley has liked his game especially in the defensive zone. The 19 yr. old Mittelstadt has had wingers like Vladimir Sobotka and Remi Elie and on his line that are more defensive-oriented. Twenty yr. old right Tage Thompson, who's played in 45 NHL games (3 goals, 6 assists) has been on Mittelstadt's right and the rookie has still been trying to adjust to the speed of the NHL game.

According to Housley, Skinner hasn't been a complete bust. "I really like the way he's working and forechecking," he said. "He steals pucks, he strips pucks and the way he's coming back in to our zone.

"He's doing the little things well."

Mittelstadt's the type of player who sees the ice well and it would seem as if he's hoping that vision translates into opportunities for that line.


*****

The Arizona Coyotes are 1-2-0 on the season. They've scored two goals for and have allowed six goals against.

After tonight's game the Sabres are off until Tuesday when they head to "Sin City" to take on the Vegas Golden Knights. After that it's off to San Jose on Thursday before Buffalo finishes with a Southern California back-to-back at Los Angeles on Saturday and Anaheim on Sunday.

Tonight's puckdrop is at 9 pm EST.


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Just confirmed by TBN's Mike Harrington, goalie Linus Ullmark will make his first start of the season in net for Buffalo with Johan Larsson and Remi Elie as healthy scratches.
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