Pittsburgh, Pa. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres went to Pittsburgh on Thursday and faced the Penguins' A-team. Despite facing many of Pittsburgh's regular starters, the young kids played them well in a 3-1 loss.
It was a 1-1 game with both teams trading chances in the third period, and both goalies making great saves in net.
Sabres goalie Eric Comrie had no chance on either goal that got past him, and he stopped four breakaways. He played his absolute best against the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson, making 27 saves on 29 shots faced.
I don’t think there’s any question that Devon Levi is Buffalo’s No. 1 goalie heading into the regular season, but I think Comrie has taken the clear early lead to be his backup.
Sabres head coach Don Granato mentioned after the game some players are making roster decisions very difficult. In my eyes, those players are Zach Benson and Brandon Biro.
I was expecting the competition to be between Lukas Rousek, Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen. While they’re learning a bunch this preseason, it hasn’t gone well, showing they're not ready for the NHL.
Benson had a real nice defensive play when he caused a turnover in the third period, and sent Tage Thompson in on a breakaway. Biro was killing a penalty, and got a break through the left circle and hit the post.
Defensively, Ryan Johnson has been better than advertised. I think he’s showing if the Sabres need a defenseman during the season, he’ll be able to fill the depth role.
I also liked how Jordan Greenway recovered from letting Drew O’Connor get space on him and pull away for a breakaway that Comrie robbed him on. A few minutes later, Greenway caused a turnover in the neutral zone by applying back pressure and sent Thompson in for a breakaway goal.
Greenway was the winger playing on Thompson and Benson's line for this game.
So far, Alex Tuch, Erik Johnson, Connor Clifton and Kyle Okposo haven’t played in a preseason game. Some will get their last chance to impress on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, as the Rochester Americans start training camp on Monday.
Granato says 2022 first-round pick Matt Savoie is progressing, and could be back at training camp by the middle of next week.
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