Devon Levi was scheduled to start the regular season with the Sabres, but the Quebec goaltender faces several tough opponents in his first season in the National Hockey League (NHL). A 7-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night in Buffalo certainly gave him a taste.
Both teams left defense in this game and went on offense. Each team fired 37 shots, but for Levi it was more complicated. The Dollard-des-Ormeaux native passed four pucks on 13 shots in the second period alone.
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Sidney Crosby enlivened the second period in his own way by defending Kristopher Letang, who had been attacked hard by two opposing players. The Penguins captain threw off the gloves to Peyton Krebs and taught the young man a good lesson.
True to form, Crosby had two assists. He was particularly able to feed his new linemate Drew O’Connor, who scored two goals. Letang also added two assists.
Even the Sabres’ best defenseman, Rasmus Dahlin, had a rough night, finishing with a -4 differential. Things went better for striker Casey Mittelstadt, who had three points.
18-year-old winger Zach Benson scored another goal for the Sabers and may have earned his spot in the NHL. Buffalo will open its regular season on Thursday against the New York Rangers.
The Penguins, for their part, will face the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Seven out of seven for the Devils
The New Jersey Devils were the best team of the previous season, winning their seven games. Lindy Ruff’s team finished the game with a 3-0 victory over the New York Islanders.
Most of the Devils regulars enjoyed a night off, but the youngsters took matters into their own hands and took on a very full contingent of local favorites at the UBS Arena.
Simon Nemec took advantage of an execution error by the Isles on the power play to escape and beat Ilya Sorokin with a close-range shot. The 19-year-old defenseman, second overall pick in the 2022 draft, could crack the lineup.
Another defender scored, Kevin Bahl. Dawson Mercer found his teammate at the top of the slot and the 6-foot-2 juggernaut fired a beautiful wrist shot. Max Willman also scored at the expense of Sorokin, who made 28 saves.
Akira Schmid was responsible for 30 saves. His Devils host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.