Hamilton: McLeod has been important part of Sabres' last two wins

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McLeod has been important part of Sabres' last two wins​

In Buffalo's win over the Washington Capitals on Monday, McLeod played 21:44 and looked just like the player he was in October. He didn’t have any points, but really excelled with JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch. His penalty killing was also exceptional.

In Thursday’s 4-0 win over the Senators, McLeod had more chances shorthanded than anyone on Ottawa's roster on four power play attempts. He also had a career-high three points with a goal and two assists.

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McLeod averaged 20:14 over the last two games, the only ones all season where he’s been over 20 minutes, while also registering five shots on goal.

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff had been impressed with the development of Kulich since he moved to center.

"It’s a loss for us because of how well he had played in the middle, and the speed he was generating," said Ruff earlier this week. "He was getting more confidence with the puck and making more plays, and finishing some really good opportunities."

Now enter McLeod, and Ruff knows how important he is in the mix.

"He becomes real important. We need him to really play the way he did the other night," Ruff said. "He defended well, used his speed. He gives us more of a two-line threat and a pretty tough line to track down."

In the Washington game, Ruff felt McLeod helped Peterka up his play.

"I thought JJ really skated well right out of the chute, and really the way they defended led to a goal and another 2-on-1 chance. Some of their defending created turnovers, which allowed good chances," he said.

 

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Hamilton does a great job chronicling McLeod's instant impact, then cool period with the team this season. Puts the blame for the cooldown squarely on the GM, where it belongs. The GM did not add to the top 6.

What good is it to put together a great 3rd line (Zucker - McLeod - Greenway) only to have to move Zucker up into the top 6?

 

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Regardless of the missteps of this GM, glad to have McLeod and Zucker. With Greenway out, Ruff is figuring out where to play these guys. Zucker looks like he is going to have the best season on his career at age 33. I hope they keep him. And, as Hamilton points out, JJ Peterka has perked up noticeably when paired with the speedy McLeod as his centerman.

 

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Regardless of the missteps of this GM, glad to have McLeod and Zucker. With Greenway out, Ruff is figuring out where to play these guys. Zucker looks like he is going to have the best season on his career at age 33. I hope they keep him. And, as Hamilton points out, JJ Peterka has perked up noticeably when paired with the speedy McLeod as his centerman.

If Greenway wasn't out, that losing streak would have gotten that far.