'Support and belief' | Power tallies 1st NHL point in loss to Blues

Owen Power's first NHL point began with a pre-faceoff conversation between him and Tage Thompson.
Jeff Skinner won the draw to Thompson, who drew two defenders as he carried the puck back toward the blue line. The diversion created open space for Power to take a handoff from Thompson and pinch toward the circle.
Power delivered a feed to Alex Tuch, who scored from the high slot. Just how they drew it up.
"It's kind of exactly kind of what we were talking about," Power said.

Thompson fetched the puck from the net to commemorate the assist. Tuch ushered Power to the front of the handshake line, typically reserved for the goal scorer. Don Granato watched proudly.
"Really, really special moment for us as coaches to see how fast and how much our guys care to help him get acclimated here and how they are working to make him feel welcome," Granato said.

The Sabres' 6-2 loss to the Blues on Thursday was more competitive than the final score suggested. The Sabres earned a 34-18 edge in scoring chances at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Blues won by virtue of a strong outing from goaltender Jordan Binnington and their special teams.
Granato came away from the loss disappointed for his players, whom he felt deserved better, but pleased with their reaction - angry with the loss, but not overwhelmed.
He was also thrilled with the way his players rallied around a 19-year-old defenseman playing his second NHL game (and first on home ice).
"Support and belief," Granato said. "They believe in his ability. They believe in his skill and you can easily see that. You can hear it on the bench. They're excited when he makes a play, when he has the puck.
"Again, that's a credit to the camaraderie and the selflessness that we have in that locker room. … This group has grabbed out attention and respect in that regard as a coaching staff. They're tight-knit. They're brothers. They really have a lot of characteristics of caring for each other."

Power skated 23:10, second on the team behind Rasmus Dahlin, and was credited with three shots and three takeaways in addition to his assist. He skated 2:25 on the penalty kill against the Blues' fifth-ranked power play, nearly scoring his first goal on a shorthanded chance during the first period.
"Every time he was out there it put a smile on my face," said Rasmus Asplund, who scored a goal for the second straight game. "It was fun to watch."
The benefits extended beyond his successes. Power engaged in a battle with Jordan Kyrou that ended with him being called for cross-checking, setting the Blues up for a 5-on-3 power play. He was defending down low when Vladimir Tarasenko scored the second of his three goals.
Granato saw to it that Power saw plenty of Tarasenko, the Blues' leading goal scorer and a three-time All-Star, just as the rookie saw plenty of Auston Matthews during his NHL debut in Toronto.
It's the same philosophy Granato has followed for many of the team's young players, Dahlin included.
"There was plenty of moments that were challenging to him, but that's what he needs," Granato said. "He figures things out really fast. But we've talked about size, speed, skill - it's tough to gauge because you haven't played at this level yet. But he's adjusting rapidly.
"He's got skill, he's got talent, he's got intelligence. I was happy with it."

The support of a tightly knit team should only expedite that process.
'It's important for coaches to create an environment that the players can feel comfortable in to be aggressive, assertive, to be themselves and not fear making a mistake," Granato said.
"We try to create that as coaches, but what I'm really happy with watching is the support teammates have for Owen in that initiative. They want to see him be successful."

Up next

The Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. Tickets are available here.
Coverage on MSG begins at 6:30 p.m. The puck drops at 7.