Mittelstadt making the most of NHL opportunities

Casey Mittelstadt makes it a point to make the most of every day he has in the NHL. He knows it can be taken away at any time.
Mittelstadt played one season at the University of Minnesota after being selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the No. 8 pick in 2017. He signed an entry-level deal that spring, appeared in six games with the Sabres, and then carved out a full-time NHL role the following season.
He already had 114 NHL games under his belt by the time he was assigned to the Rochester Americans for his first AHL experience in December 2019. It would be more than a year before he returned.
"I kind of saw how quickly it can be taken away," Mittelstadt said. "I kind of took it for granted a little bit. So, I think when my chances come, just go play and play as hard as I can, make sure that when the game's over I know that I left it out there."

Mittelstadt embraced the assignment to Rochester, where he sought to work on his two-way game and allow the offense to follow. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Mittelstadt was the top performing forward in Rochester and was in line for a recall when the season ended abruptly in March due to COVID-19.
The wait continued early on this season. Mittelstadt spent the start of the year on the taxi squad, honing his skills and staying active under player development coach Matt Ellis. He tallied an assist in his season debut on Jan. 24 and has since appeared in nine games, including the last two.

"What I see him doing is staying focused on one single thing and that's becoming a consistent National Hockey League player," Krueger said. "Whether he is playing in games, whether he's on the taxi squad or whether he's practicing with the full squad, I've seen nothing but a pro in action.
"He has truly got a competitive bite within him right now. We're expecting him to eventually find his way into a regular spot."
Mittelstadt has spent the past two games skating on his off wing alongside Jeff Skinner and Curtis Lazar. Scoring chances have been in Buffalo's favor, 13-4, with Mittelstadt on the ice at 5-on-5 in those games. Krueger suggested Mittelstadt's path could be on the wing moving forward.
"He's done a good job of increasing his strength and his foundation," Krueger said. "The second is his ability to play without the puck and what we need from everybody when it comes to checking and defense and he's working hard with the coaching staff on that. And, finally, we want his genius to express itself.
"He has the potential to be a top-six forward in the National Hockey League and that will be the final piece then to the puzzle."

Reinhart scoring at a career-best pace

Sam Reinhart's two-goal outing on Tuesday brought his team-leading total to 11 in 22 games this season. His average of .50 goals per game is the highest of his career and ranks 17th in the NHL.

At his current pace, Reinhart would set a new career high with 28 goals despite the shortened 56-game schedule. He would be on pace for 41 goals in a typical 82-game season.

Penguins up next

The Sabres open a two-game set with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. It will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. Pittsburgh has won three straight games and currently sits in third place in the East Division with 31 points.
Coverage on Thursday begins at 6:30 p.m. on MSG. Puck drop is scheduled for 7.