Cozens tallies 2 assists in SO loss to Penguins

Brett Murray and Vinnie Hinostroza scored early goals to build a first-period lead, but the Sabres were unable to hold it during a 5-4 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh erased a 3-1 deficit during the third period. Anders Bjork scored for Buffalo to regain a 4-3 lead, but Kasperi Kapanen buried the tying goal with an extra attacker on the ice for Pittsburgh with 52.6 seconds remaining in regulation.
Jason Zucker scored the deciding goal in a nine-round shootout.
Victor Olofsson also scored for the Sabres. Dylan Cozens tallied a pair of assists.
Dustin Tokarski and Aaron Dell split the night in net for Buffalo. Tokarski stopped 15 of 16 shots faced in 30:15 of ice time. Dell made 19 saves on 22 shots in 34:45.
Here are three takeaways.

1. Penguins apply pressure

Sabres coach Don Granato said early on in camp that the first three preseason contests would be used primarily to get players back into game shape. Games 4 through 6 would consist of more in-game teaching and film evaluation.
"We used a lot of film from last night's game to do some things differently that I thought we were better in," Granato said. "And then obviously there's a lot in this game, specifically in the defensive zone exits where we really, really struggled."
The Penguins pressured the Sabres in their zone and controlled play for portions of the final 40 minutes. Shot attempts at 5-on-5 during the last two periods favored the Penguins by a tally of 31-17.
"There are things, absolutely, that we can tweak and we can drill in a practice that can help us in that area," Granato said. "By what you saw tonight, it looks like we've got a long way to go. Some of it will be on film, some of it will have to be in practice with actual reps. But I do think we can make great strides."

2. Attacking the net-front

All four Buffalo goals featured a blue and white jersey near the Pittsburgh goaltender. Murray and Hinostroza both outmuscled defenders on drives to the net for their goals. Olofsson pounced on a loose puck near the crease for his power-play goal. Bjork's long-range score was aided by a screen from John Hayden.

"We want to play a direct and hard game and it's what we love about the sport, is guys going to the net and playing that hard style," Granato said. "We did that tonight. We had, I thought, layers of players going to the net as well."

3. Cozens plays relaxed

Granato said Tuesday morning that the possibility existed for Cozens to move to the wing as he continues his development. The 20-year-old responded with his best game of the preseason, tallying assists on the goals by Murray and Olofsson.
"I think after a long summer, I want to come in and I want to dominate right away," Cozens said. "I want to step up and I want to be a guy who can help lead this team. I think that I was hurting myself by trying to do too much. I think I just need to simplify things and just play my game and stick to it, be confident in myself."

Granato said he could see the difference in Cozens' approach.
"He played with a lot of anxiety and forced a lot of plays early in the preseason. He and I have talked a lot through the preseason and he's worked out those kinks. He's not trying to make a perfect play every play. He's reading plays better as a consequence and obviously playing with more confidence and poise. When he does that, his skill comes to the forefront."