After a break, the Buffalo Sabres returned to practice on Wednesday at LECOM Harborcenter. This session was the first of five scheduled before the team resumes its NHL season on February 25.
Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson commented on the pause, saying, “The break is obviously nice for everybody, just to give the body and mind a rest. But obviously was a longer break than usual, so I think toward the end, everyone’s pretty eager and excited to get back. Especially (with) how our season’s been going and where we are in the standings, everyone’s excited to keep playing and finish the push here.”
With a record of 32-19-6, Buffalo currently holds the first Eastern Conference wild card position as they prepare for their final 25 games over a span of 50 days. The intensity of Wednesday’s practice reminded some players of training camp.
Samuelsson described it as having “a mini training camp mentality,” explaining that while there is significant practice time, players need to quickly regain their rhythm: “I don’t think they’re trying to kill us right off the bat, but definitely a mini training camp mentality, where it’s a lot of practice, but you definitely have to get back in the swing of things pretty quick.”
Coach Lindy Ruff explained that conditioning was an emphasis: “Today was more about conditioning and compete, and we went over [what the strength staff] had mapped out. With shorter numbers, having one short of four lines and only five D, the reps are more, and obviously that leads to guys exerting a little more than they usually do.”
The team practiced with fewer players because Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson remain at The Winter Olympics. On Wednesday, Team USA defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime; Dahlin has tallied five points across five games for Sweden while Thompson has scored two goals in four games for Team USA.
“They’ve both represented our team great,” Ruff said. “… Everybody has teammates that are playing against each other in this, and I think that’s what makes that tournament so special. Because when everything’s on the line, there’s not a lot to be said for ‘I’m your teammate’ anymore. It’s like, best man’s gonna win this.”
Dahlin is expected back soon along with other key Sabres players.
Injury updates were also provided by Ruff: forwards Josh Norris (upper body) and Josh Dunne (middle body) participated in non-contact jerseys but could return fully as early as Thursday. Updates were also given on Zach Benson, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Jiri Kulich, Conor Timmins and others who missed practice.
Josh Dunne spoke about his family connections at The Winter Olympics—his sister Joy Dunne plays forward for Team USA while his girlfriend Ella Shelton plays defense for Team Canada. They will face each other in Thursday’s gold medal game.
“What’s happening tomorrow?,” Josh joked. “It’s a funny situation: it’s a win-lose situation no matter what. But I’m just so proud of them both, and I’m so happy for them both. To get to the highest level, the Olympic gold medal game, they’ve both earned it, they’ve both worked so hard. … So, for me, it’s in a way stress free because I’m just watching them enjoy themselves and living out their dreams.”
Dunne attended several Olympic games in Italy but tried not to show favoritism between Team USA or Canada: “I was sitting with my family, and my girlfriend’s family was right behind me,and I was like,’You know what,I’m not standing up at all.’ [Unless] Ella or Joy score,I’m not gonna make a single emotion.”
The Sabres will continue practicing Thursday ahead of next week when their schedule resumes.
