1. Riley Sheahan, who opened the season on injured reserve, practiced without a non-contact jersey. He is considered day to day, Granato said.
2.Eric Comrie was one of the last players off the ice after practice, a common theme through training camp that matches the workmanlike reputation he brough to Buffalo.
"Every single day you've got to go out there and earn it," Comrie told reporters. "I mean, doesn't matter. Nothing is promised in this league, you've got to make sure you go out there and make sure you earn every single day and work hard. That's my plan. Just earn every single day."
While Anderson started opening night, Granato said to expect a rotation with Comrie early on.
3.The Sabres penalty kill went 4-for-4 in the win over the Senators, including a 5-on-3 kill that lasted 49 seconds during the second period.
Thirteen different players recorded shorthanded ice time, led by Mattias Samuelsson (3:41) and Henri Jokiharju (2:55). The list included several players who could be considered offensive threats, including Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt, and Alex Tuch.
The Sabres managed to outshoot the Senators while shorthanded, 5-4.
"It's nice for all teams in the league (to use) skill players on the penalty kill," Granato said. "It holds power plays that much more accountable. We hope to do the same and we're in the process of sorting through who might be our best, who's going to separate themselves from other guys in that area."
4.The Sabres host the new-look Florida Panthers at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Panthers - after finishing last season with the NHL's highest-scoring offense - traded leading scorer Jonathan Huberdeau and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar to Calgary during the offseason for winger Matthew Tkachuk.
Granato said the focus in the meantime is less on Florida and more on Buffalo's own film.
"I think most of our focus will be on our game and trying to make slight tweaks and improvements," he said. "Actually, large improvements through slight tweaks from game one."
Tickets are available here.
