Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres' two-newest defensemen Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton struggled to find their way with their new team to start the season.
Johnson played a totally different defensive system while playing with the Colorado Avalanche, while Clifton, who is a right-handed defenseman, was playing on the left side.
Four games ago, Johnson suggested they switch, putting Clifton on his natural right side, and the results have been extremely promising.
"I felt like he was a little uncomfortable on the left, and I wanted to see his game get a little bit better," said Johnson on Tuesday when talking about why he approached Clifton about switching sides. "I wanted to see my game get better too, so I think that switch helped.
"I would prefer to play the right, but I’m fine on the left too. But I just think it helped elevate his game."
Johnson adds he’ll do whatever is best for the team going forward.
Three games ago, the Sabres walked into Boston and beat the Bruins, 3-1. It was no fluke, on that night, Buffalo was the better team, and Clifton, by far, played his best game with the Sabres.
It has continued for the next two games against the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes.
Buffalo has played three very good games in-a-row, and are 2-0-1 in that span. The thing that is really telling is their top-three scorers during that time are Clifton and Kyle Okposo with four points, and Eric Robinson with three.
Johnson has also improved his play, and is heading back to Colorado to play the Avalanche on Wednesday for the first time since he left this offseason in free agency.
"I’m really looking forward to it," Johnson said. "There’s a lot of great memories, great friends, awesome fan base and a great city. It’ll be sweet to go back there."
Johnson played 13 years in Colorado, and still calls the area home during his offseason. He says he's looking forward to sleeping in his own bed.
It sounds like Wednesday's return to Denver might be a little emotional for Johnson.
"We built this thing from the bottom all the way to the top, so it’ll be extra special to be there with all my old teammates and the fans," Johnson said. "It’s also me wanting to give thanks to the fan base and that organization for all they did for me for almost 15 years."
Johnson has already played his former teammates back on Oct. 29 when the Sabres won in Buffalo, 4-0.
Tage Thompson and Kyle Okposo were given maintenance days and didn’t practice on Tuesday. Sabres head coach Don Granato says both should be ready to play on Wednesday.
Alex Tuch is also slated to make his return after missing four games with a hamstring injury.
Even though Mattias Samuelsson didn’t practice on Tuesday, Granato didn’t rule him out from playing on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Jordan Greenway is still considered day-to-day.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had his own net on Tuesday, which usually indicates a goalie likely starting in goal the next night. Luukkonen has been sick, and missed the last four games.
In the last three games, Devon Levi jumped in and was really good, posting a 1.62 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.
Luukkonen has played three career games against Colorado, going 2-1-0 with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage.
With three games on this trip, it wouldn’t shock me to see Luukkonen play in Colorado and Arizona, with Levi playing in Vegas.
