Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff made some changes to his lines for Thursday’s practice, and it involves splitting up Jack Quinn and Dylan Cozens.
Cozens was playing on the right wing with Ryan McLeod and Jordan Greenway, while Peyton Krebs moved up to center Quinn and Jason Zucker.
Three years ago, Cozens played left wing at the World Championship and led the tournament, scoring seven goals and 13 points for Team Canada. Ruff is well aware of his past success playing on the wing.
"I know he’s played there and he’s played well, and scored a lot of goals over there," said Ruff following Thursday's practice. "I don’t think it’s a gamble. I think he’s been comfortable playing over there. and if it frees him up a little bit. It’s better for us."
Ruff feels changing things up could be good for Cozens.
"I think sometimes a player gets consumed with lack of production, and sometimes gets locked into as your centermen playing better defensively. I’m trying to free him up to get a few more opportunities, and you get him with a left-handed centermen that can get him the puck and possibly use his speed," he said. "We’re trying to get both him and Jack a little bit of a different look, and see if it works, and get us a little more offense and get both those guys going."
Cozens has often said how much he enjoys playing center, but he knows there are things that fit him on the wing too.
"I think it offers more outside speed. I think that’s one of the most dangerous parts of my game, so I should get more looks with that. And I think it offers more shots off the rush too," said Cozens following Thursday's practice.
Nobody is harder on himself more than Cozens. He’s well aware that he has 32 shots on net this season with no goals scored.
"The positives are the chances I’ve been getting. Eventually over time, those will start going in, but I know I’ve got to be a lot better," Cozens said. "I haven’t been nearly as good as I know I can be and should be, but I’m just trying to take it one day at a time and not dwell too much on what’s happened so far."
Peyton Krebs couldn’t get into the lineup for opening day, but an injury put him in for Game 2. He’s done nothing but earn more-and-more opportunities with his tenacity.
"I think Peyton has played really hard," Ruff said of the 23-year-old. "He’s been good in the faceoff circle, so I think automatically we’ll have the puck a little bit more. And 'Zucks' [Jason Zucker] has been really good at finding people and creating plays, and I think Jack needs to get the puck on his stick more. So we’re in that search to try to get even better."
Quinn was on an 82-game pace of 27 goals last season.
Ruff mentioned in both cases, it’s an opportunity for them to welcome something new.
The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety fined Rasmus Dahlin $5,000 on Tuesday for slashing Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell in the face on Monday.
There was seven minutes left to go in a 3-2 game when Dahlin took the two-minute minor penalty. The Panthers scored on the power play to take a two-goal lead and won the game.
"Bad penalty by me," Dahlin said Thursday when asked about the incident. "I didn’t try to hit him in the face, so it was kind of motion, but it was aggressive. I shouldn’t have done it, so it’s not a part of hockey, and I understand the cost of it. So let’s move on."
The Sabres have reduced the amount of penalties they’ve taken, but they have to take fewer of the mindless penalties at the worst times.
"I would say yes along with when you take them. Like road penalties early or when you take the initial penalties in your own building. We’ve talked a lot about the types of penalties that we want to stay away from, and we’re going to continue to work on that," Ruff said.
Sabres winger Zach Benson is back on the ice, but not with the team.
"He skated on his own this morning, so it’s his first real hard day back on the ice," Ruff said. "I’m encouraged that he can probably join us soon."
The Sabres host the New York Islanders on Friday, and then will visit the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.