(WGR 550) – Taylor Hall did very little for the Buffalo Sabres when he played for them, so let’s see what he does for the Boston Bruins, as he plays against them on Tuesday.
This is Hall’s first game with Boston after being traded by the Sabres for a 2021 second round pick and Anders Bjork.
Bjork never had to leave Boston to join the Sabres, and will also be in Buffalo’s lineup. His last game was April 3, as he’s been a healthy scratch for the past five games. Bjork said he’s ready for a new beginning.
“I was excited for sure. There’s opportunity and it’s a fresh start for me," he said following Tuesday's morning skate. "I don’t think my time in the NHL has gone the way I wanted it, and there’s some definite opportunity.”
Bjork didn’t play for Don Granato at the U.S. National Team Development Program, but they were there at the same time.
“I remember that the players loved him and really respected him, and wanted to play well for him,” Bjork said of his new interim head coach.
Bjork was in the program with Jack Eichel, and he said the Sabres captain has reached out tom him.
“I talked to Jack, so it’s exciting to have a familiar face," Bjork said. "I played with him at the development program and on different USA teams, so I’m excited for that, because Jack’s a great dude.”
Bjork only has two goals this season, but had nine in 58 games last year. He thinks he has an offensive upside in him.
“I think I have some offensive ability, and I want to learn and develop into a more offensive player and score more goals, which is the way I can help this team,” Bjork said.
Bjork will wear No. 96 for the Sabres and play on the left wing with Dylan Cozens and Arttu Ruotsalainen. Granato said Bjork is a player who skates well.
“He plays a high-speed, high-tempo game," he said. "He has a lot of skill, and as far as expectations for him, we need to get him to settle into what we’re doing, and that’s going to take a little bit of time.
The Sabres will be facing rookie Jeremy Swayman in goal. The 22-year-old is 2-1-0 with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. This is Swayman’s first season in pro hockey after three years at the University of Maine.
The Sabres are 4-2-1 in their last seven games under Granato. They’re coming off a game in Philadelphia, where they were trailing the Flyers 3-2 with just over three minutes left. The team then exploded for three goals in 2:39 to win, 5-3.
The team is scoring more goals lately and has gone from dead last in the NHL to 29th in a short period of time. Buffalo has a 2.32 goals-for average, while the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks are at 2.23. The Sabres are also third-worst in goals-against at 3.46.
Linus Ullmark is 4-1-0 in his last five games. He’s given up 14 goals in those five games.
Casey Mittelstadt has played well as of late, scoring goals in four of his last five games.
Tobi Rieder will be a healthy scratch with Bjork entering the lineup.
The Bruins won’t be happy campers when the puck is dropped. They’re coming off an 8-1 pasting at the hands of the Washington Capitals on Sunday in Boston.
Boston holds down the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division, four points ahead of Philadelphia and the New York Rangers, and eight points behind the third place Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Bruins have only played the Sabres twice, and both of those games were wins.
Join Schopp and the Bulldog for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. ET, when they’ll be joined by Granato, Bjork and Rasmus Ristolainen.
***Photo: Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)
