Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres had their first practice on Tuesday since coming back from Prague, and most of the players said they were feeling normal again with no ill effects from travel.
Tuesday was a huge power play practice, and the units were changed up. Part of the reason is JJ Peterka and Zach Benson are still day-to-day with injuries.
PP1: Zucker, Thompson, Cozens, Power, Dahlin
PP2: Quinn, Krebs, Kulich, Tuch, Byram
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff says there was a big emphasis in Tuesday's power play practice.
"Trying to generate a little more speed, and get connected on the entries, because we felt disconnected and didn’t make the next play," said Ruff following Tuesday's practice.
When a new coach comes in and changes things like Ruff did, the things being taught needs to become habit. From what I’m seeing, it hasn’t happened yet. Ruff, however, disagrees.
"I think if you looked at Game 1, and what I learned from that quick turnaround is, and losing players to injuries, the minutes went up. I don’t believe some of our players handled the minutes well enough, because I thought [New Jersey's] speed took over the game. But in Game 1, I thought our speed was able to outmatch them a little bit, and we got in on some really good opportunities, and the opportunities were there. The play away from the puck and keeping them away from high quality rush chances was really good," Ruff said.
"In the second game, it looked like some of our guys, a couple of the young ones struggled, and were a little bit nervous. It looked, to me, like they got tentative."
Ruff did admit there is one thing that hasn’t become habit.
"I’ve got to get this team to where we don’t give up that opportunity for them to win the hockey game," he said. "Those two rush chances on Goals 2 and 3 is the stuff we’ve been working on from Day 1 in camp, and those were just puck decisions. Yeah, you want to win the game, but was that a high quality opportunity you were trying? No. So we’ve gone through that each game, and I think it has to become a habit or a mentality that you don’t beat yourself."
The two games against the Devils certainly wasn’t the way this team is supposed to play.
"We have to compete. We have the willingness, so it’s just the details," said Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin following practice. "I think work a little smarter, not harder, and we’ll be fine."
Dahlin missed some time in training camp with an injury, and he definitely wasn’t himself in those two games in Czechia. I asked Dahlin if he’s still feeling the injury, and he hesitated with a smile.
"No, not really," he said. "I mean, lately I’ve finally been able to train as hard as I want, and bump into people and play normal hockey again. I feel good and I’m ready to go."
This was the first time Dahlin has been back in town since being selected as team captain while in Germany.
"It’s an honor. It’s probably the proudest moment of my life," Dahlin said. "It’s a big responsibility, but I’m ready for it. It’s a special feeling."
Ruff still doesn’t know if Peterka and Benson will be ready on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, so there’s not much point in writing lines from practice.
As for winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Ruff says he will be out 3-to-6 weeks.