BUFFALO – When the Sabres split into two groups Tuesday – the regular team traveled overseas to start the season, while the B group stayed here to complete training camp – a special opportunity materialized for some players.
Prospects and minor leaguers who would’ve normally received little or no action have an extended look as the Sabres complete their preseason schedule.
On Tuesday, a group filled with youngsters and AHL talent won a 3-2 road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, grinding out a victory after prospect Anton Wahlberg’s power-play goal put them up late in the second period.
“It’s incredible, to be honest with you,” Rochester Americans coach Mike Leone, who’s running Buffalo’s bench, said this morning in KeyBank Center. “We have a really young group. I don’t know how many guys played in their first NHL game (Tuesday).
“I think after the first five to seven minutes when they settled in, (they) just started playing hockey, and we told them that before the game. It’s just go out there, mistakes are going to happen. Enjoy the moment.”
A similar lineup will face a Senators squad featuring mostly AHL players tonight in Ottawa. The complete roster is below. First-round picks Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund and Isak Rosen will all play again.
Forwards: Helenius, Ostlund, Rosen, Wahlberg, Josh Dunne, Riley Fiddler-Schultz, Mason Jobst, Brett Murray, Olivier Nadeau, Viktor Neuchev, Graham Slaggert, Tyler Tullio and Brendan Warren.
Defense: Vsevolod Komarov, Noah Laaouan, Zach Metsa, Nikita Novikov, Colton Poolman, Jack Rathbone and Peter Tischke.
Leone said goalie Felix Sandstrom will start and play the entire game. Scott Ratzlaff will served as the backup.