Head coach Lindy Ruff has emphasized a stronger defensive approach for the Buffalo Sabres during this year’s training camp. Through two preseason games against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team has allowed only one goal, reflecting this renewed focus.
Ruff’s strategy was evident in Tuesday’s 2-1 win at KeyBank Center. The Sabres had practiced defending 6-on-5 situations earlier that day and successfully held off Columbus in a similar scenario late in the game. Zach Benson commented on the team’s performance: “I thought we did an excellent job. I thought, defensively, we were menaces. I think we made it really hard on them, and obviously (a) big kill at the end. You’re gonna need lots of those down the road, so it’s nice to work on it early on.”
Benson also noted that disciplined play in both defensive and neutral zones led to turnovers by Columbus, limiting their offensive opportunities—Columbus managed just one shot at even strength in the second period and five total shots in the third.
Jason Zucker contributed late-game defense as well as scoring what proved to be the winning goal midway through the third period. He credited recent practice routines for helping maintain structure under pressure: “I think last year, we had a tendency of sitting back a little bit and just trying to not let them score, which seems like the right thing to do, but at the same time you’ve got to stay aggressive,” Zucker said. “You just sit back and let them come in waves at you, it’s going to be tough to defend. I thought we did a better job staying aggressive, getting pucks out, making them have dirty pucks along the boards and get them out of our zone.”
Ruff highlighted how playing close games is valuable preparation: “I think I mentioned 78 percent of the games last year were one-goal or two-goal games that are decided with an empty (netter). So, I’d rather have, tonight, been in a close game, which we were in, because you battle harder. One mistake costs you. I like that we didn’t get frustrated. We missed a lot of chances. I don’t believe we gave them an even-strength shot in the second period, so (we) defended really well.”
The line of Benson-Norris-Thompson was effective offensively as well as defensively; they generated eight scoring chances without conceding any while recording 13 shot attempts between them—10 from Thompson alone.
Benson described his linemates’ chemistry: “Obviously those two are elite, elite players,” he said of Norris and Thompson. “I think we all read the game at an elite level… It makes it easy on me to just try and find them in the spots and try and create chaos.”
Nineteen-year-old Konsta Helenius also drew praise for his composure after taking a late penalty but responding with strong defensive play upon returning to action. Ruff said: “Well, I looked at it two ways… I could have sat him or I could see what his next shift was going to be like. I liked his answer after he took the penalty.” Jason Zucker added about Helenius: “I think he’s going to be a really good player in this league for a long time.”
Goaltenders Alex Lyon and Devon Levi combined for another solid outing; Lyon stopped 12 shots before being replaced by Levi for the third period who saved all five shots faced.
Josh Norris stood out for his faceoff performance—winning 11 out of 14 draws—and contributed on both special teams units.
Ruff underscored how important faceoffs can be: “Just because you win the faceoff, zone time goes way up, the opportunities go way up… It’s a big deal.”
The Sabres will continue their preseason schedule Thursday night against Detroit; fans can stream coverage via Sabres.com.
