Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) - Wednesday was the last preseason game for many of the Sabres' top players, and it left us with a lot of question marks.
Buffalo got out-worked and out-played by a Columbus team that had many of the players that will be in the AHL this season. Cleveland captain and former Sabre Nathan Gerbe had two goals for the Blue Jackets.
Buffalo won in overtime, but I was appalled by a first period that saw the Sabres just go through the motions. It did not look like a team ready to start the season next week. Ralph Krueger said on post-game, "Our puck management was insufficient, our battle level was low, competitiveness was low. I thought we dropped off just a touch yesterday in practice, but I was pleased with the reaction in the second period."
Tage Thompson has had a very good preseason, and his goal late in the first period tied the game and maybe woke his team up. Buffalo did win in overtime, but I didn't like a whole lot other than the fact that they kept coming back and found a way to win.
Buffalo had glaring giveaways that led to Columbus goals on Carter Hutton. That isn't all that different from last year, and it must be cleaned up. The opportunity to get pucks out was lost and the puck wound up in the back of the net.
On the positive side, with the game tied at 2-2, Jack Eichel went behind the net a forced a turnover. He quickly found an open Victor Olofsson in the slot and Buffalo had the lead. A Marco Scandella turnover led to Columbus tying the game, but supreme hustle by Marcus Johansson in overtime was the difference. He got back to the blue line and forced a Columbus giveaway, turned up ice and had a 2-on-1 with Jeff Skinner. He used the winger as a decoy and got so close to the net, he ripped home the overtime winner.
Krueger wanted to get good work on the power play and Sam Reinhart did tip in a PP goal. I just feel there were too many players just going though the motions for some of this game. Yes, it doesn't count in the standings, but it doesn't give me a good gauge at all as where this team is right now.
Kruger said Saturday's final preseason game will be a depth lineup, so I would expect to see Curtis Lazar, Rasmus Asplund, Remi Elie, Casey Nelson, Will Borgen, Scott Wilson and others like that. My guess is Linus Ulmark will get the net and go the whole way.
