Isak Rosen, a first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is gaining momentum with the Buffalo Sabres as he has recorded points in consecutive games for the first time in his 17-game NHL career. Rosen hopes to extend this streak when the Sabres face the St. Louis Blues at KeyBank Center on Thursday.
The Sabres currently hold a record of 5-4-4 and have secured at least one point in their last seven games. Rosen has contributed to this run since being recalled from Rochester last Friday. He scored his first NHL goal during a shootout win over Washington and assisted Noah Ostlund against Utah on Tuesday.
“We have good chemistry together and that gives you confidence,” Rosen said. “But then we haven’t played on this level, so it’s way different, but I think we both did a good job.”
Rosen was named AHL Player of the Month on Monday and was brought up due to injuries among the Sabres’ forwards. He has experience moving between Buffalo and Rochester, having played seven combined NHL games across two seasons. Now, he aims to secure a regular spot with the team.
“Just both with the Amerks starting the season well and then here as well, obviously it helped a lot to score first game of the season here,” Rosen said. “Had a lot of experience now going up and down, trying to learn from that every time. And I think I have learned from that, and just trying to make the best out of every shift.”
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff noted after Saturday’s game that Rosen appears more confident on the ice—a quality Rosen said he has worked hard to develop.
With several forwards sidelined by injury or illness, Rosen sees an opportunity for increased playing time alongside fellow young players Ostlund and Jack Quinn. The trio spent over five minutes together during Tuesday’s game against Utah.
“I think it’s really close,” Rosen said. “I think to do it and show it every shift I’m out there that I can be a player you can trust, that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Tyson Kozak may return after missing five games due to a lower-body injury sustained on October 24 against Toronto. Kozak participated fully in Wednesday’s practice and will be evaluated again before Thursday’s game.
“I wouldn’t rule him out,” Ruff said.
Kozak had scored in back-to-back games earlier this season before his injury. Ruff highlighted Kozak’s playmaking ability and defensive skills: “I think the opportunity is put him in a situation where he feels good on the ice against anybody,” Ruff said. “He defends quickly, he gets into people and a lot of times physically – he’s not a big guy – but physically, he can overwhelm somebody down low. He just thinks he can play pretty well against anybody. His speed is up there with our top guy, so it’s really those two qualities pushing the category he can close on people in a hurry and then you can physically separate them.”
The St. Louis Blues come into Thursday’s matchup following a heavy 6-1 defeat by Washington, where goaltender Jordan Binnington was pulled after conceding four goals on 15 shots—one being Alex Ovechkin’s milestone 900th career goal. The Blues are tied for last place in league standings with ten points and have allowed more goals than any other team so far this season.
“We weren’t ready to play,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery told reporters postgame on Wednesday. “We weren’t ready to start on time and we got worse after the first period.”
Tonight’s game begins at 7 p.m., with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. Fans can watch locally via MSG or stream through Gotham Sports App or ESPN+ (for out-of-market viewers). Radio coverage is available through WGR 550 or via the Buffalo Sabres App.
The first 5,000 fans attending will receive a collectible throwback pennant.
