Hocky

Tuch, Cozens, Quinn, Peterka & Power

On Monday evening, the Buffalo Sabres’ got here from two objectives again to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs by a rating of 4-3. Alex Tuch’s return from damage – alongside together with his two-goal recreation – led the Sabres to the win.


Explore every thing hockey with THW’s Hockeypedia pages.


It additionally didn’t damage that the oldest present participant within the NHL – goalie Craig Anderson – got here up large within the recreation. Two younger burgeoning stars, 21-year-old Jack Quinn and 22-year-old Dylan Cozens additionally scored for Buffalo. And, Owen Power and JJ Peterka every added two assists. 

It was the Sabres’ second sturdy recreation in a row. On Saturday, that they had performed the New York Rangers exhausting however misplaced 2-1 in extra time. Monday they clawed again for the victory over the second-place staff within the Atlantic Division. Even after they have been down two objectives and outplayed badly, the staff stayed affected person, caught to its recreation plan, and pulled out the win.

Related: Sabres: Revisiting Tom Golisano’s Purchase to Save the Franchise


Latest News & Highlights


In this version of Sabres News & Rumors, I’ll check out the participant information rising from the sport. 

Item One: Alex Tuch Comes Roaring Off the IR 

After being sidelined with a lower-body damage, Alex Tuch was a game-time decision for Monday’s game. However, he returned to apply on Sunday; absolutely participated in Monday’s morning skate; and, was activated off injured reserve forward of the sport in opposition to Toronto.

Related: Sabres Need to Use Jordan Greenway Differently

Following his eight-game absence, it was like he had by no means been gone. Tuch had an impressive recreation. He scored twice. His first aim tied the sport 2-2 and the final aim was the game-winner with the person benefit.

Alex Tuch Buffalo Sabres
Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

What a profession season the 26-year-old winger is having. On the season, he has now scored 30 objectives and added 34 assists (for a career-high 64 factors) in solely 58 video games performed.

Item Two: Craig Anderson Seemed Ageless 

In Craig Anderson’s 38th career game against the Maple Leafs, he put up a stable recreation to beat his long-time rival. He made good saves on a few possibilities for Auston Matthews, who had beforehand scored 13 objectives in 16 video games in opposition to the 41-year-old goalie. 

Related: 7 Cool Things About the Buffalo Sabres French Connection

In the third interval, Anderson made a terrific breakaway cease on William Nylander’s shot and likewise made a giant save on Michael Bunting throughout a 2-on-0 likelihood coming in alone with John Tavares. Overall, he stopped 25 photographs out of 28. 

Craig Anderson Buffalo Sabres
Craig Anderson, Buffalo Sabres (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The win is Anderson’s first since Feb. 28. He now has a report of 10-9-2 and leads all Sabres goalies with a goals-against common of two.79 and a .917 save proportion. Look for him to proceed to separate beginning duties with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen whereas Eric Comrie is out with a lower-body damage.

Item Three: Dylan Cozens Breaks Two-Game Pointless Streak

Dylan Cozens scored a aim and added an help in Monday’s win. His aim put his staff up 3-2 and his help got here on Tuch’s power-play, game-winning aim. 

Similar to Tuch, Cozens is having a breakout season. He’s now scored 26 objectives and added 31 assists (for 57 factors) in 65 video games. He helps make the Sabres’ top-six doubtlessly probably the greatest within the NHL. His two-point recreation ended a two-game pointless streak for the younger ahead. It was additionally his first multi-point recreation since Feb. 26.

Item Four: Jack Quinn Baseball’s a Puck into the Net

One would possibly assume that Jack Quinn additionally was a superb baseball participant along with his hockey talent. He scored the primary Sabres’ aim of the evening by batting a puck out of midair within the second interval. That minimize the Maple Leafs’ result in 2-1 and obtained the ball rolling (is that sufficient blended sports activities metaphors?) for his staff.

Jack Quinn Buffalo Sabres
Jack Quinn, Buffalo Sabres (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI by way of Getty Images)

It was Quinn’s solely shot of the sport and broke a four-game scoring drought for the rookie ahead. He now has scored 13 objectives and added 17 assists (for 30 factors) in 59 video games this season. He’s making his presence felt within the Sabres’ top-six unit.

Item Four: Two Sabres’ Rookies Add to the Scoresheet

Two up-and-coming Sabres’ rookies – John-Jason (JJ) Peterka and Owen Power – every added two assists to the trigger. 

Peterka has registered 4 assists in his final three video games, however he’s scored solely a single aim in his final 33. On the season, the 21-year-old has scored eight objectives and 17 assists (for 25 factors) in 62 video games. He’s nonetheless inconsistent, however he appears to slot in effectively with Cozens and Quinn on Buffalo’s second line.

Related: 7 Cool Things About Jarome Iginla: Calgary Flames Hall of Famer

Young defenseman Power is having a stable rookie season as effectively. He has scored 4 objectives and added 22 assists (for 26 factors) in 63 video games. He additionally carries a plus-11 ranking in these video games.

What’s Next for the Sabres?

Just reviewing the Sabres’ recreation in opposition to a robust staff just like the Maple Leafs suggests how sturdy Buffalo might turn out to be. Although it could be subsequent season, the staff has youth and potential all through the lineup. Monday evening’s well-rounded staff win noticed numerous children contribute to the scoresheet. And, 27-year-old Victor Olofsson didn’t play in Monday’s recreation as a wholesome scratch. Although he has scored 24 objectives in 65 video games this season, he’s been in a scoring drought throughout his final 17 video games. Tuch is simply 26 years outdated, too.

This is an effective younger staff. It’s enjoyable most nights to be a Sabres fan.


Source link

Related Articles

Back to top button