Quebec native Devon Levi will use the preseason games to showcase his candidacy as the Buffalo Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, and let’s just say he made a good impression Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins.
At the Keybank Center, the 21-year-old goalkeeper was perfect with 19 shots in front of a team that had few starters. The Sabers took advantage of the opportunity and won 4-1.
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Levi remained confident despite repeated attacks from young opposing attackers, particularly the trio Oskar Steen, Georgii Merkulov and Danton Heinen, who fired a combined 13 shots. The Dollard-des-Ormeaux native made way for Devin Cooley after two periods.
Jeff Skinner, Riley Stillman, Brandon Biro and Filip Cederqvist scored for the Sabres.
Cripples in New York
In New York, despite the absence of Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Filip Chytil, the Rangers showed they were still capable of filling the net with a 4-2 win over the Islanders.
The Blueshirts staff placed great emphasis on the health of these three players by giving them rest and assessing their condition daily. Kaapo Kakko, Tyler Pitlick, Chris Kreider and Blake Wheeler all hit the target. Quebecers Alexis Lafrenière and Alex Belzile were not in uniform.
On the “Isles” side, two representatives from the province of La Belle stood out. William Dufour and Arnaud Durandeau deceived the vigilance of Dylan Garand and Igor Shesterkin.
Not a gift from a former team
In Detroit, the Pittsburgh Penguins sent former Red Wings Alex Nedeljkovic into net, but his former teammates made life difficult for him in a 4-3 win.
Led by most of their veterans, the Wings threw 33 times toward the visitors’ cage. Nedeljkovic made 29 saves and stayed at his post throughout the three appearances.
Alex DeBrincat wasted no time in delighting his new fans with two assists. Captain Dylan Larkin and Nate Danielson, the ninth pick in the last draft, scored.
Former Montreal Canadiens Rem Pitlick received an assist on Quebecer Samuel Poulin’s goal for Pittsburgh. Watch Poulin’s goal below.
The Penguins also learned Tuesday that defenseman Mark Pysyk, who was in training camp for a pro tryout, is expected to be sidelined with a lower-body injury.