Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Through the first two games of the regular season, the Buffalo Sabres have just one goal from their top-two lines. It was JJ Peterka scoring Buffalo's lone goal in a 5-1 loss on opening night to the New York Rangers.
Jeff Skinner had a golden opportunity on the power play in that loss on home ice, but he hit the crossbar.
The Sabres opened against two very defensive teams that like to clog up the neutral zone. The veteran winger says there’s still a lot of hockey to be played.
"We just have to keep working," said Skinner on Monday after practice. "It’s a long season, and I think we want to create opportunities because if you keep creating opportunities, they’ll eventually go in."
It looked like once the Sabres got to the second period of Saturday night's contest with the New York Islanders they were playing faster and had the puck more.
"We looked more like ourselves, and more in sync as a group of five on the ice," said Sabres head coach Don Granato on Monday. "The Thompson, Tuch, Skinner line hasn’t quite found that yet, but we know when they do, it’s going to be impressive.
"I think once our guys start feeling like themselves, it’s exciting as a coach, and it’s a sign we’re moving in the right direction. And based on that, the direction can accelerate."
There are things Granato and his staff can do to help the Thompson line going forward.
"At some point, they’re going to hit a rhythm and find a stride," Granato said. "When you have three talented guys like that and as the season wears on, talent starts rising."
Granato made no changes to the lines on Monday, and Devon Levi had his own net at practice. That usually means he’ll get the start the next game, which is Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning on home ice.
