5 takeaways | Young players continue to contribute in loss to Caps

Don Granato saw the advancement of younger players on the Sabres' roster as an obvious priority upon taking over as interim head coach last month.
The Sabres were mired in a winless streak that would eventually extend to 18 games. Players with first-round pedigrees had struggled with confidence as a result, some unable to stick in the lineup.
"The guys with the highest ceiling, we needed to move toward that," Granato said. "I'm very, very pleased with not only that progress but the effort and focus they've had in that regard. They've been incredible, all of them."

Buffalo's young core continued to make an impact in a 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center on Friday. Casey Mittelstadt, Henri Jokiharju, and Tage Thompson scored goals while Rasmus Asplund and Rasmus Dahlin tallied assists.
Here are five takeaways.

1. How it happened

The game was the first of 14 meetings against the top four teams in the East Division from now until the end of the season. Granato spoke to his players before the contest about embracing the challenge and using it as a tool to improve.
Unlike Thursday's loss to New Jersey, in which Granato felt his team was outcompeted, the coach felt players rose to the challenge presented by Washington. Buffalo finished with a 5-on-5 edge in scoring chances (20-15) and trailed by one shot attempt (49-48) according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
The Capitals scored their first three goals from the point, including an Alex Ovechkin shot that deflected in off Dahlin and an unscreened attempt from Justin Schultz that beat goaltender Dustin Tokarski shortside.
Washington's fourth goal, from Jakub Vrana during the third period, was an outlier in the sense that it came at the end of a long shift in the Buffalo zone and was preceded by multiple turnovers.
"It's a heck of a team over there," Granato said. "They worked hard. They were adamant about getting two points, which is exactly what we want. We need a team to give us their best and that's our hope. We hope we paly everybody's best games. I thought our guys did what they needed to do within that context to become a better team."

2. Thompson strikes late

Thompson has shown a knack for late-game heroics of late. He scored with four seconds remaining to force overtime against the Rangers on April 1 and followed it up with a shootout-winning goal in the following game. He nearly spurred another comeback Friday.
The towering winger crossed the Washington net and deflected a Rasmus Ristolainen shot in past Vitek Vanecek to cut a two-goal deficit in half with 1:20 remaining. He finished the outing with four shots and seven attempts in 16:43.

"We've pushed him and he's responding," Granato said. "We pushed him with clips today and said, 'You can be better and you need to be better in these areas.' He was tonight. He shot the puck more, he had a much better drive to the net."

3. The kids contribute

The score sheet was filled with players who have become usual suspects of late. Dahlin's assist extended his point streak to four games and created a goal for defense partner Henri Jokiharju, who previously tallied an assist Thursday.
Mittelstadt, meanwhile, tallied his sixth point in the past six games as he continues to make good on an opportunity at the center position. It was made possible thanks to a turnover forced by Asplund, another player who has carved out a regular role under Granato's watch.
Mittelstadt reiterated afterward that it's been off-ice growth that has allowed him to perform at the NHL level, the product of hard-learned lessons after he was assigned to Rochester for the latter half of last season. Granato sees the benefits.

"He's made that step and now his skill is seen," Granato said. "You know he was a skilled player obviously following him through his amateur career. Highly skilled player. Highly skilled world junior player and now you jump up to this level. It's a competitive, competitive environment. There's no weak link to take advantage of and he's become the competitor that he needs to."

4. Ruotsalainen's debut

Arttu Ruotsalainen was the latest entrant to the 23-and-younger club, skating 15:52 in his NHL debut. He admitted to pregame nerves but felt he benefitted from the chance to play the veteran Capitals.
"Obviously it wasn't my best game, but I think it was an OK start for NHL games," he said. "I think it was a good lesson for me (to see) what it takes to play against one of the top teams in the league."
Granato gave out high marks for the forward.
"Arttu was ready," he said. "He was ready. He's trained hard. He's obviously dreamed and visualized being in the NHL, playing in the NHL. He fit in naturally. If there was any nerves, he didn't show it. He was business-like, dialed in. Had a very good sense of objective and he is competitive. That is really exciting to see any time you can add an ultra-competitor to the lineup. He's proven that. Very good first game for him."

5. What's next

The Sabres open a three-game road trip in Philadelphia on Sunday at 3 p.m. It will be the final meeting of the season between the Sabres and Flyers.
Coverage on MSG begins at 6:30 p.m. or you can listen to the game on WGR 550.