St. Louis Blues center Noel Acciari (52) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) battle behind the net during the second period at KeyBank Center, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.
Mattias Samuelsson had yet to be cleared to return to the Buffalo Sabres’ lineup from an injury last month when the 22-year-old defenseman used his wry sense of humor to try to lighten the mood amid the grind of the 82-game season.
" ... when you have an influx of more youth, you have less experience. And when you have less experience, you have more game-changing situations and plays and everything else," Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato said.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at the KeyBank Center on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) celebrates with teammates, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) and Tage Thompson (72), after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center on December 1, 2022.
St. Louis Blues center Noel Acciari (52) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) battle behind the net during the second period at KeyBank Center, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at the KeyBank Center on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) celebrates with teammates, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) and Tage Thompson (72), after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center on December 1, 2022.
