Samuelsson’s Status in Question for Wednesday
Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson returned to practice Monday following an illness that sidelined him for two games. His potential availability for Wednesday night’s home matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes remains uncertain. While he participated fully in drills, he was paired as an extra alongside Dennis Gilbert and left the ice early during a battle drill, suggesting he may not yet be ready to return.
The Sabres will evaluate Samuelsson’s recovery during Tuesday’s practice before making a decision. His absence was felt during Saturday’s loss to the Seattle Kraken, a game in which Buffalo surrendered six unanswered goals. While Samuelsson’s season has been inconsistent—hampered by a lower-body injury earlier in the campaign—his improving play before this latest setback hinted at a return to form.
Depth and Possession: Benson’s Quiet Impact
Second-year forward Zach Benson’s scoring totals remain modest, with seven goals and 14 points through 37 games, but his recent impact goes beyond the scoresheet. In the last 10 games, Benson has excelled in possession metrics, leading the team with a 58.2% Corsi percentage at 5-on-5 and contributing to a 7-3 goal differential during his shifts.
His progression in a third-line role is a promising development for Buffalo, which has struggled to generate consistent depth scoring. Benson’s growing presence on both ends of the ice could be vital as the team looks to stabilize its lineup heading into the second half of the season.
Robinson Returns with Hurricanes Amid Career Year
Former Sabres winger Eric Robinson will face Buffalo on Wednesday in the midst of a breakout season with the Carolina Hurricanes. After posting just two goals in 40 games for the Sabres last year, Robinson has flourished in Carolina, tallying 10 goals and 21 points through 44 games. His performance has sparked discussions about a short-term contract extension with the Hurricanes.
Buffalo’s decision not to re-sign Robinson in the offseason stemmed from a desire to retool its fourth line. However, their replacements—Beck Malenstyn, Sam Lafferty, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel—have combined for only seven goals, leaving questions about the team’s depth forward strategy.
Monday’s Practice Brings Competitive Intensity
Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center was designed to address Buffalo’s recurring issues with mid-game collapses, such as the one that doomed them against Seattle. The Sabres worked through competitive 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 drills, with an emphasis on generating scoring opportunities in tight spaces.
The Sabres’ current practice lines reflected some of the adjustments being considered:
Forwards:
- Jason Zucker – Dylan Cozens – Tage Thompson
- JJ Peterka – Ryan McLeod – Alex Tuch
- Zach Benson – Peyton Krebs – Jack Quinn
- Beck Malenstyn – Tyson Kozak – Sam Lafferty
- Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Defensemen:
- Rasmus Dahlin – Bowen Byram
- Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
- Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton
- Dennis Gilbert – Mattias Samuelsson
Goalies:
Sabres Look to Correct Patterns of Adversity
Buffalo’s struggles with in-game adversity have been a recurring theme this season. The loss to Seattle highlighted the team’s difficulty in recovering from momentum swings, particularly when defensive lapses or bad breaks compound their problems.
The Sabres hope their renewed focus on competitive drills and zone work will help address these issues as they prepare to face a Hurricanes team known for its relentless puck pursuit and structured play.
What’s Next
Buffalo will hold one final practice Tuesday before hosting Carolina at KeyBank Center on Wednesday. The game, slated for a 6 p.m. puck drop, will be nationally televised on TNT, truTV, and Max.
As the Sabres aim to regroup and put their midseason struggles behind them, their performance against one of the NHL’s top teams will be a critical litmus test. Fans will also watch closely to see if Samuelsson’s return can provide the defensive stability the team needs.
Notes Sourced From Trusted Outlets
The details in this report were compiled from insights and updates provided by Sabres.com and the Buffalo News, offering comprehensive coverage of the team’s practice and ongoing adjustments.
- Engage with the Sabres Insight on X: @SabresInsight
- Like Sabres Insight on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SabresInsight
- Join Sabres Insight on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SabresInsight/
- Follow Sabres Insight on Instagram: sabresinsightcom
- We are also on BlueSky: sabresinsight.bsky.social