Sabres' Metsa-Stanley Duo Shines in Playoff Prep

On March 30th, the Buffalo Sabers just dodged a bullet with a 3-2 shootout win over the Seattle

Kraken, snapping some late-season nerves as they chased those top spots in the Atlantic

Division.

Teams like this can't afford a slump now, and the Sabers have been juggling a pile-up

of defensemen fighting for those bottom-pairing slots come.

Playoff time, so they sent down 27-year-old rookie Zach Mitzah to test out guys like Michael

Kesselring, Connor Timon's Logan Stanley, and Luke Shen.

This has been the unexpected standout, a 5-foot-9 guy who's all smarts on the ice, quick

puck decisions, no flash offense with just 6 points.

But that plus 20 rating screens reliable defense, the kind that wins without highlights, meanwhile,

the others have hit bumps.

Timon's shaking off Russ from a broken leg, Stanley building toughness post-trade, but

still shaky in transition, and Kesselring's sideline since March 10th with an angle issue

that's got him way off his game.

Looks like Mitzah paired with Stanley makes the most sense for that third duo, bringing

size and brains together to lock it down when playoffs hit.

Keeping the Sabers steady for their first dance since 2011.

This has been NHL News Today, powered by AI.

I'm Corey with the story.