"It's two games into the year, let's not go crazy in here," he said. "I think we have a really good group, some good pieces, and our depth is something that is undervalued. We have a lot of guys who can play the game and play it smartly. Obviously Jack being out hurts us a lot, hurts us just because he's such a game-breaker.
"Other guys are going to have to step up and play well and play better as a team. And with Evander going down, too, it gives other guys an opportunity to step up and play better."
But while Okposo was downplaying how much the Sabres needed a lift, others in the locker room were focused on it.
"We'd love to have those guys (Eichel and Kane) in the lineup but Kyle adds a top-six forward and he plays well both sides of the puck, and that's big for everyone," veteran defenseman Zach Bogosian said. "It's big for the guys who have been around, to be around a guy like that, and also for the young guys. We're a very young team and it's very important to have guys like him in that role, with the type of player and person he is.
"He was a big signing for us in the summer and for him to come in and, if you take hockey out of it, he's a good person and a good leader and he's good to have around the room. Then he's an exceptional hockey player, so there's icing on the cake. He's a great professional."
Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Okposo's influence on Sunday's game was clear.
"It's just a calming presence on the ice, really," Bylsma said. "He plays the right way, plays above the puck. We saw it in the third period, winning puck battles and keeping pucks in front of us. It's something he had in the game tonight, for sure.
"Looking back at the Montreal game, no question we were out of sorts a bit right from the start of that game. I don't think we had it at any time in that game."