BUFFALO – As a first-line winger, a role he assumed for the Sabres late in Tuesday’s come-from-behind win, the versatile Peyton Krebs transforms his mentality.
Alongside center Tage Thompson and another scoring threat, Krebs knows he must forecheck, meaning he will have the puck less than he does skating on the third or fourth line.
“Kind of just contribute to those guys making sure they’re getting the puck,” Krebs told the Times Herald during training camp.
In the thrilling 3-2 overtime victory, he played that role to a T, creating the game-tying goal by forcing Quinn Hughes to give up a wobbling puck in the Minnesota Wild zone before grabbing it along the right boards and deftly feeding Thompson in the slot.
The tenacious Krebs, 25, said Wednesday he “put a little sauce on it and Tage did the rest.”
“We’re in our sixth year together,” Krebs said after the Sabres prepared for Thursday’s game against the Dallas Stars in KeyBank Center. “I just try to work to get him pucks, find him, make plays.”
The 6-foot, 191-pound Krebs, a natural center, played left wing alongside Thompson and Alex Tuch throughout the second half of last season as the Sabres morphed into the NHL’s hottest team.
Still, he has spent much of his career skating down the lineup. He began Tuesday’s contest playing left wing alongside center Jiri Kulich and Konsta Helenius.
If he’s playing, say, on the fourth line alongside center Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn, Krebs can change his style.
“Mal’s a fantastic forechecker, so is (Carrick),” he said. “You tend to do that a little bit less when you’re with those guys, so you end up having the puck more.”
But in a pinch, Krebs, a skilled playmaker the Vegas Golden Knights drafted 17th overall in 2019, moved up Tuesday and provided an impact.
On the top line, he can still play a rugged game and add a little finesse.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he has told Krebs “you’re the Swiss Army knife.”
“I can put you anywhere,” he said. “I can play you (at) center. I can move you up. I can put you on the energy line. I can use you killing. I can use you (the) odd time (on the) power play. It’s just part of his role, and he accepts it.”
Thompson said Krebs is “always working and getting better.”
“I think fans love him just because of how hard he works, and I think a lot of people forget that he’s got a lot of high-end skill,” he said. “I love playing with him.”
Krebs has experienced perhaps more growth under Ruff, who’s in his third season back with the Sabres, than any other player.
Since sitting out as a healthy scratch for the season opener in 2024-25, he has played 189 consecutive games, including 13 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After setting career-highs across the board last season – he scored 12 goals and 39 points in 82 games – he signed a four-year, $18 million contract.
Krebs said the genesis of his growth can be traced to the opportunities Ruff has awarded him.
“Not that Donny (Granato) didn’t do that,” Krebs said of the Sabres’ previous coach. “Maybe I just wasn’t ready at that time. But I didn’t get that opportunity to do that with him. I don’t even need to play up the lineup, just get some more minutes.
“I think (Ruff has) allowed me. He’s trusted me. He’s instilled the things I need to do in my game to be a good NHLer and the qualities I need, and when I’m out of check, he’ll make sure I’m right back in it.”
Krebs has also poured money into his career looking for ways to improve.
He said he built a gym and a shooting room in his house. He joked he has “tried every single health hack you can think of” and talked to every skills coach in Calgary. He makes his offseason home in Alberta.
He also works with Hall of Famer Adam Oates to assess his game.
“You only have so long you can play this game, and I don’t want to half-ass it,” he said. “A lot of people say the best investment is in yourself, and I’m trying to do that to help my career.”
Notes: Ruff said winger Jason Zucker, who’s recovering from offseason sports hernia surgery, will skate with the Sabres some days and do rehab skates other days. He did not practice Wednesday after participating in Tuesday’s pregame skate. … Ruff said Mattias Samuelsson had a maintenance day Wednesday. Ruff said if the defenseman needs a day off, the Sabres will give it to him. … Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start Thursday after Colten Ellis played in Tuesday’s win.
Peyton Krebs finds Tage Thompson, 2-2
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