Last nights game was a perfect example of talent vs system.
Buffalo’s prospects, just like their NHL team, tried to do too much themselves and were not playing their system.
Boston on the other hand, was very well disciplined and executed their system perfectly. They were excellent playing their gaps and taking away the puck carrier’s space. They were attacking north and south with speed. They were swarming the puck, winning their battles along the boards, and generally just skating through the Sabres players any time buffalo touched the puck. They did a good job taking away the dangerous scoring chances/areas of the ice, too.
But to be fair, a number of those bruins players have experience paying together in the AHL. I believe 4 guys on their blue line alone played together in providence last season. It showed. Their AHL team is very well coached and they play very well within their system.
Boston’s goalie was also excellent tonight. He was a difference maker for Boston.
The ice conditions didn’t seem very good again. NJ struggled with it last night and Buffalo definitely struggled tonight. Guys were falling, bobbling passes and losing the puck trying to stick handle. It was kind of frustrating to watch.
Still, lots of good to take away from that game.
Dahlin does so many little things well, and the way he sees the ice is special.
Luukkonon looked very good in goal. He is miles better than Jonas Johansson.
We could have something in UPL in the future.
Tage Thompson once again stood out. He has easily been one of buffalo’s best forwards in both games. He’s. It lookin glide just some throw-in in the ROR trade, that’s for sure.
Asplund could be a player for us sooner than we think. He’s almost like a better version of JT Compher.
Laaksonon once again showed his skill. He looks like another one that could be an impact player for Buffalo in the years to come, if he continues on his development path.
Mittelstadt was better tonight night but still left a lot to be desired. Writing him in as the #2 C might be a bit premature. He may have to start out the season as the #3 C, or potentially in a C/W role like the end of last season (where E rod helped him out at C).