5 things we learned from Monday's Blue & Gold Scrimmage

If there has been any one theme at Sabres camp thus far, it is that they are wasting little time in getting players back up to speed.
The Sabres last played a game in March. They were given 14 days to prepare for their regular-season opener against Washington with no preseason exhibitions. Those circumstances made it crucial for the Sabres to create their own game-like scenarios during camp.
The first came Monday. The Sabres split up their camp roster into two groups - each with three forward lines and three defense pairs - and played a full intrasquad game with three 20-minute periods. Coach Ralph Krueger, who has ample experience with short camps from his time coaching international tournaments, laid out the benefits of the game afterward.

"There's multiple reasons why this game is good," he said. "One is, let's get used to playing in an empty rink. That's the first time a lot of these guys have experienced that. Two is, what is the length of a game and how much physically is that going to weigh on me? I think all the guys were able to measure themselves today. And, finally, the game and the habits."
Here are five observations from the first of Buffalo's two planned scrimmages, with the next one set for Saturday night.

Girgensons leaves with injury

The Sabres entered the scrimmage absent forwards Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson (both upper body) as well as goaltender Linus Ullmark (post-immigration quarantine). Krueger said he expects all three players to be back on the ice with the team Wednesday.
The status of Zemgus Girgensons will be monitored in the meantime after the forward sustained an injury during Monday's scrimmage. Girgensons fell awkwardly while attempting to defend a breakout during the second period and was helped off the ice by trainers.
Girgensons signed a new three-year contract during the offseason after upping his offensive totals and establishing a consistent checking role in his first season under Krueger. He had spent the first three days of camp skating alongside Cody Eakin and Kyle Okposo.
"Certainly, we're hoping for some good news here, but we have to be ready for possibly a bit of a setback," Krueger said. "Everybody saw the injury and the awkwardness of the situation.
"… You realize that each and every one of these players has a unique package that he brings into our group. Zemgus' package is specialized. It's hard for us to replace. It's hard for us to replace and we hope everything goes right. We're looking forward to that line in action and hopefully we can do that soon."

Ruotsalainen, Thompson stand out

The absence of Eichel and Olofsson left a void to fill alongside Taylor Hall. Arttu Ruotsalainen and Tage Thompson - two players on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of recent experience - made the most of their opportunity.
Ruotsalainen begins his second NHL camp with the benefit of having played pro games as recently as recently as November. He was off to a scorching start with Ilves of Finland's top pro league, having scored a league-best 16 goals and 27 points in 19 games before the season paused.
The centerman set up a chance for Thompson upon entering the offensive zone on the very first shift of the game. He won a battle down low to feed Henri Jokiharju for the scrimmage's first goal and later buried one of his own on a feed from Thompson inside the blue paint.
"We thought Arttu looked strong," Krueger said. "You can see, he's been playing over in Europe. His game was compact. He makes good decisions, a good skater, supports the puck well and also works well without it. So, overall, a good entry for him and another fresh face in our roster. The depth that we're gonna need for the season ahead, it was great to see him in action."

Whereas Ruotsalainen had just recently seen real game action, Thompson last played a game in November 2019. That was the night he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in his season debut with the Sabres, putting a premature end to what had started as a promising campaign in Rochester.
Offensively, Thompson looked at home skating alongside a former Hart Trophy winner in Hall. He had multiple scoring chances - two of which hit the post - and made a habit of attacking the net with his 6-foot-6, 216-pound frame.
"He had the puck on his stick a lot and created a lot of opportunity, a lot of scoring chances," Krueger said. "We're pleased with that part of his game. He's somebody who has a presence about him. Especially when he's getting close to the net, the way he can attack the puck and create chances. Obviously, an asset for us to have."

Hall, Staal show intangibles

Hall and fellow newcomer Eric Staal come to Buffalo with offensive resumes that speak for themselves, but their impact on games extends beyond their skill. Eichel said Hall deserves more credit for his forechecking and strength on the puck. Krueger has emphasized Staal's work ethic on both ends.
Both were evident Monday. During one sequence in the first period, Staal outmuscled an opponent along the boards and calmly sent the puck back to his defenseman at the point. Hall did the same seconds later, using his body to fend off a defender along the wall as he surveyed his passing options in the offensive zone.
Though neither player made their way onto the scoresheet, both created their share of offensive chances as well. Staal had multiple one-time attempts from in-tight that were set up by linemate Sam Reinhart, while Hall fed a Thompson chance that hit the post.

Jokiharju starts (and finishes) strong

The defenseman scored two goals during the first period, both on quick shots from the point. But Krueger was equally impressed with Jokiharju's consistency through the duration of the scrimmage.
Jokiharju, then 20, said after being acquired by the Sabres last offseason that it was his goal to spend all of 2019-20 in Buffalo. Internally, he was eighth or ninth on the defensive depth chart entering last year's camp. Not only did he spend the season in Buffalo, he played all 69 games.
"He was outstanding today," Krueger said. "You can see his fitness level extremely high. But what I feel here is the confidence. … He knows he's a top-six D in the National Hockey League, and you can feel that aura about him. It's done him a lot of good, and we expect more offense from him and it was nice he scored a couple today."

Hutton is "the star of the game"

Carter Hutton carried a shutout into the final minute of play, surrendering his only goal of the scrimmage on a 6-on-5 rebound to Cody Eakin with 50.9 seconds remaining. He did get even, lofting a 200-foot goal of his own into the empty net before time expired.

"We have to call him the star of the game," Krueger said. "He really helped his team in the game, especially through the midsection of the game. There was quite a few scoring chances by the gold team where he neutralized. I was very, very pleased with the confidence and the overall aura that he showed."
The Sabres will likely have to count on both Hutton and Ullmark given the condensed nature of the upcoming season, which includes eight back-to-back sets.