Though Skinner had gone without a goal in his last 11 contests, he tallied 22 scoring chances at 5-on-5 in that stretch. His season total of 92 scoring chances at 5-on-5 lead the Sabres. Others will get opportunities to step up offensively in his absence, beginning with Okposo.
Krueger emphasized that, if the Sabres do break up their top line of Olofsson, Eichel, and Reinhart, they could reassemble at any moment within a game. But he also detailed why Okposo is as deserving as any player for the chance to move up the lineup given the way he's bought into his role alongside Girgensons and Larsson.
Okposo has played particularly well since returning from a concussion on Dec. 7, having scored three goals in nine games since. Though Eichel and Olofsson bring different attributes than Girgensons and Larsson, don't expect Okposo to change much. He'll still look to chip pucks in deep, go to work on the forecheck, and free the puck for his talented linemates.
"I'm not very good when I change the way I play, so I should probably not do that," Okposo said. "I mean, I think sometimes you start looking for those guys more than you usually do, but it can't [change]. For me, it's just about being aggressive and moving. If I'm moving in all situations, good things tend to happen. So, I'm just going to continue to do that."
The simplicity in Larsson's game, meanwhile, could lead to time and space for Johansson and Reinhart in the offensive zone.
"I'm looking forward to it," Johansson said. "I feel like that's a really interesting and good line for us. Larry's been playing very well all year for us, both offensively and defensively. Takes big responsibilities out there both ways, and I think that can make a lot of room for me and Sam to do our thing as well. I'm looking forward to it.
"I think you look at our last couple, we've certainly been lacking offense," added Reinhart. "So, I think this is an opportunity for a lot of guys, myself included, to find that offensive side of our game a little bit. I'm excited for the challenge."