Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – During practice on Friday, the Buffalo Sabres wore the new pants and gloves for the reverse retro uniform. Both are white, and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was very excited about the gloves.
It was fun for the players to see them wearing the new threads, but they also had a short, but focused practice, as they try to break their two-game losing streak on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Sabres head coach Don Granato had the same lines that he used on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.
As for the defensive pairings, Owen Power is no longer with Rasmus Dahlin. It also looks like Kale Clague could be making his Sabres debut against the Blackhawks.
Defense:
Bryson – Dahlin
Power – Fitzgerald
Clague – Lyubushkin
Pilut
Power made some good plays against the Canadiens, as well as some bad ones, as the 19-year-old navigates through his first full NHL season.
The fact that he struggles, at times, should be no surprise after watching Rasmus Dahlin and how long it took for his development. You could throw Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson in there too.
There are elements of his game that Power is going over with the coaches.
“There were some plays early [against Montreal], and those shifts, I think, that if I cleaned up some things, it could’ve prevented some goals," said Power on Friday. "I think there’s a lot that came before, and that kind of led to the goals. It’s just little things.”
Some of what he needs to improve upon is obvious, but there also are subtle changes he's trying to make.
“There’s been a lot of gap stuff that I could clean up, and then just some corner battles and net play. That’s all stuff I think I’ve been getting better at,” Power said.
Power is still young, and many of the problems he’s having are new to him. Despite that, he tries to keep his confidence.
“It’s tough in the moment, but I think any defenseman has had that their whole life," Power said. "It’s nothing really new. You’ve just got to forget about it and learn from it.”
One of the reasons Granato has been successful so far is he understands development, and the process that goes into it. That’s why he’s giving Power a try with Fitzgerald, even with Granato knowing there will be mistakes made by Power.
“Casey is very familiar with how we want to play, which is a help," said Granato on Friday. "We had Owen and 'Dahls' together for offensive reasons. They can possess a puck so well together. But we’re going to split them up tomorrow, and hope we can get a little more balance through the six.”
This is Power’s first time playing through the NHL and visiting the different cities. He says there’s one part of it that he’s really enjoyed.
“Going into some buildings that have had a lot of history, it’s just something that, for me, I think is just really cool," Power said. "I’m just thankful that I’m able to do it.”
As of Friday afternoon, things were very interesting in the Eastern Conference.
In both the Atlantic and Metropolitan Division, 12 teams have either eight or nine points. The Boston Bruins have 14 points, the Philadelphia Flyers have 10 points and both the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets have six points.
