Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – As the Buffalo Sabres get ready to play their first game since Dec. 19, they know what Western New York just went through during the recent blizzard over Christmas weekend is much more important than a hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings.
General manager Kevyn Adams is from Western New York, and this is the worst snow storm he’s ever seen. Adams says he’s been thinking a lot about what people went through during the blizzard.
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone that lost loved ones during this challenging time,” said Adams during a press conference on Thursday.
Adams also took time on Thursday to thank the first responders and essential workers in the City of Buffalo and Western New York.
There were conversations with the NHL on if this game on Thursday should be played.
“I made them understand what was going on here, and had conversations with local leaders from the City of Buffalo and [Erie] County just to get a handle on where we were, and also being respectful that there’s much bigger things going on, and bigger issues than, 'Are we going to play a hockey game?'” Adams said.
Being in Clarence, Adams and his family saw some of the worst conditions during the blizzard.
“From my own perspective, we were very fortunate," Adams said. "We never lost power, but just watching what people were going through on the news, my heart goes out to them. My mother-in-law lives about a half-mile from me by herself, and I wanted to check on her Christmas Eve. I took a walk, and it was two hours there-and-back with the snow. I’ve never seen anything like it. It just breaks your heart for people that ended up in cars stranded and in really bad spots. That’s where perspective comes into play.”
Sabres head coach Don Granato called this a surreal experience, understanding there are things much greater than you or the team.
“You see the news, and you understand that this is a life-or-death situation for many, and you’re grateful you’re not in that,” said Granato on Thursday.
Many fans are looking forward to getting away from the last week, and getting the chance to see the Sabres play.
“Sports is part of our culture, a big part of our communities, and I know our guys are very, very proud to be Buffalo Sabres," Granato said. "They’ll be very proud to step out on that ice for more than just themselves.”
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Rasmus Dahlin’s family is in Buffalo from Sweden, and this, of course, was the worst weather they had ever seen.
“It was probably way easier than most of the people here in Buffalo,” said Dahlin following Thursday's morning skate.
The Dahlins didn’t go unscathed, though, as the family lost power and warm water during the blizzard.
"We had to walk over to a hotel, which we were really lucky to get a room there," Dahlin said. "It was all good. We had a good Christmas."
Dahlin was one of the players that was able to walk to the arena on Tuesday and Wednesday so he could skate.
All the players were able to get back to Buffalo after the holiday break. Casey Mittelstadt flew from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Columbus, Ohio for Tuesday’s game, and then he had to get to Buffalo.
Thursday morning was the first time the Sabres have been on the ice since last Thursday. This will be their first game in 10 days.
“I’m sure we won’t feel the best, but we’re going to make sure we’ll bring the most work ethic, and we have to keep it simple,” Dahlin said.
Because of injuries, Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson have played a ton. With no practice, Granato says those two will be closely monitored.
“We’re definitely going to watch that going into the game," he said. "Then you’re going to get your read during the game, like how do they feel? How’s their energy level? What’s their recovery rates? How taxing is the game itself?”
The Sabres are riding a four-game winning streak, and will get Owen Power and Jacob Bryson back into the lineup on the blue line. Lawrence Pilut, Casey Fitzgerald, Rasmus Asplund and Vinnie Hinostroza are all out.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be in goal for his third start in four games. Luukkonen slammed the door in Colorado and Vegas to get two wins. He stopped 80 out of 84 shots in those two games played.
Overall this season, Luukkonen is 5-3-1 with a 3.44 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage.
In Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the Red Wings fell behind 4-0, but came back to win, 5-4, in overtime.
Detroit has won two-straight games after losing six in-a-row. In those two wins, the combined score was 12-8.
Ville Husso has played in four-straight games, and six out of seven. In his last four starts, Husso has let in 17 goals.
Buffalo has beaten Detroit twice already this season - 8-3 back on Halloween in Buffalo, and 5-4 in a shootout on Nov. 30 in Detroit. Alex Nedeljkovic played in goal for both of those games.
In two games against the Red Wings this season, Tage Thompson has seven points, while Jeff Skinner and Dahlin each have four points.
The Sabres are 8-for-8 on the penalty kill against the Red Wings, and 3-for-7 on the power play.
Dylan Larkin leads the Wings in scoring with 32 points in 32 games.
If Buffalo wants to start making up ground in the standings, they have to win a game like this in regulation. Detroit has three more points than Buffalo and only has played one more game.
Join Schopp and the Bulldog for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. EST when you’ll hear from Granato, Dahlin and Luukkonen.
