BUFFALO – When the topic turned to the struggling Josh Norris prior to Friday’s 5-2 victory, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he had been working with the talented center and a better version of him would materialize.
Norris had mostly been a non-factor for five weeks, registering just two goals and three points in 15 games despite skating on scoring lines and the power play.
Ruff scratched another underperforming forward, Ryan McLeod, on Friday. If Norris didn’t pick up his game, he could’ve been next.
But Norris enjoyed his best outing this season Friday, scoring two goals in the Sabres’ shellacking of the Columbus Blue Jackets before a capacity crowd of 19,070 fans in KeyBank Center.
“(He) skated through the neutral zone better, possessed the puck better, got rewarded,” Ruff said.
Norris ended his six-game goal drought 18:10 into the contest, beating goalie Jet Greaves from the left circle on a four-on-four to put the Sabres up 2-1. He utilized some slick moves in front of the net before backhanding the puck in 9:46 into the second period to make it 4-1.
“Just trying to have an attack mindset on the first one,” Norris said. “I think sometimes throughout the year I would’ve passed that but just get back to shooting and just be a threat.”
That first goal was nice, but if Norris wants to keep scoring, he must consistently get to the net.
“Great shot on the four-on-four goal, but his next goal got himself around the front of the net,” Ruff said. “And when you’re struggling, you got to get inside.”
Norris wasn’t the only Sabres player who scored a much-needed goal Friday.
Winger Josh Doan scored his third goal this season 10:53 into the second period, beating Greaves at the net.
“I said the last couple games that Doan has been close,” Ruff said. “He’s been around it. There’s been two or three good looks. And again, you want to break out of something, get around the blue paint.”
The Sabres, who improved to 4-4-0 at home this season, outworked and pounced on the Blue Jackets, who won 2-1 shootout at home Thursday to the Dallas Stars.
“I think playing with confidence a little bit at home and try not to be too cute at home was an emphasis,” Doan said.
Sabres winger Jack Quinn opened the scoring 6:50 into the game. After Kent Johnson tied it, Norris restored the lead, and the Sabres kept rolling.
Captain Rasmus Dahlin put the Sabres up 3-1 4:30 into the second period.
The Sabres, fresh off Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, had scored just two goals in losing their previous two home games. Their five goals matched their season high at home.
Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 24 saves. Defenseman Owen Power recorded three assists.
