Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – With Tage Thompson expected to be out of the lineup for a few weeks, Casey Mittelstadt and Dylan Cozens will be the Buffalo Sabres' top-two centers.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for either player.
When Thompson missed four games last year, Mittelstadt slid into his spot on a line with Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch.
Speaking of Tuch, he missed practice again on Wednesday, but Sabres head coach Don Granato says he should be full go in practice on Thursday.
As far as Mittelstadt goes, he said nothing changes for him because of this situation.
"To be honest, I don’t really look at it much differently. I’m going to prepare to try to play my best, and I definitely think I have comfort in my preparation," said Mittelstadt following Wednesday's practice. "I don’t think it has to change, because I have confidence out there and I think I can take on the challenge, for sure."
Mittelstadt doesn’t want any opportunity to come his way because of injury, especially when the injury relates to Thompson.
"We’re going to miss the hell out of 'Tommer' and what he brings to this team, and what he brings to the locker room as well," Mittelstadt said. "It’s definitely a big loss, but it’s an opportunity for others to step up."
I wondered if Mittelstadt's game changed depending on if he was playing with Skinner and Tuch or playing with other guys. It wasn’t an easy answer for him.
"I think your game’s going to be different all the time, even from night-to-night. It’s going to change because there are different things that are going to work each night," Mittselstadt said. "I think with linemates, it’s definitely different, because guys play different ways. Especially at center, it’s more on you to adjust and to get them into good spots."
For Cozens, he was the team’s No. 2 center last year and responded with 31 goals and 37 assists for 68 points.
This season in 14 games, the 22-year-old has just three goals and five assists for eight points. It's production that he is certainly not happy with.
"I’m going to have to step up here. I know I haven’t been playing as best as I can to start this year, and I think this is an opportunity for me to find my game and to get going," said Cozens following Wednesday's skate.
So what have been the differences in Cozens' game from last year?
"I think I carried the puck with speed a lot more, and I feel like I haven’t quite gotten to that yet, just carrying it with confidence up the ice and being a shooting threat," Cozens admitted. "I haven’t had as many looks so far this year, so I want to get more to the inside and get to the net more."
Ever since Mittelstadt became the team’s No. 2 center, Cozens has been all over the lineup. That can certainly be difficult on any player.
"It’s been a mix up to start the year," Cozens said. "I feel like almost every other shift I’m playing a different position, but I’m fine with that. Sometimes I like that. It makes you keep things simple and more direct up the ice."
Cozens is good friends with Thompson, and he knows it’s going to be a team effort with him out of the lineup.
"We’re going to need some guys to step up, because he’s a hole you can’t really fill," Cozens said.
With the injury to his nose, Cozens has had to play with the full plastic face shield. It’s something you never get used to, because you lose your peripheral vision and it’s hot to have on.
"I’m ready to take it off. I’m not really getting comfortable. I hate it," he said.
Granato says goalie Eric Comrie is ready to go, and that rookie winger Zach Benson should play some games on the upcoming road trip.
Meanwhile, Peyton Krebs missed practice due to a personal matter, and Jordan Greenway missed with soreness after blocking a shot on Tuesday.
