Cozens, Samuelsson progressing as Sabres return to practice

Dylan Cozens and Mattias Samuelsson returned to practice on Monday and are progressing well, Sabres coach Don Granato said.
Samuelsson missed the last two games with a lower-body injury while Cozens did not play in Saturday's game after exiting in the third period against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday with an upper-body injury.
Both players feel as if they could play on Wednesday, when the Sabres welcome Carolina to KeyBank Center for their final contest before the All-Star break.
"I'm planning on it. I felt better today," Samuelsson said. "Every day, every hour, I feel a little better."

Samuelsson is plus-11 in 34 games this season and is currently ranked third on the team in ice time per game (22:09).
Cozens said that he's been playing it safe but has been feeling good and better every day.
Prior to his injury, Cozens had recorded nine points in the month of January, tallying five goals and four assists in 14 games. The 21-year-old forward has had a career year with 43 points in the 2022-23 campaign, surpassing his previous career high of 38. He is on pace for 72 points this season.
Here are more notes from Monday's practice.
1.Tage Thompson was absent from practice and is considered day to day with an upper-body injury.
Granato said that Thompson could have skated today and is "pretty certain" that he will be back at practice tomorrow.
"He's been, like lots of players, dealing with nagging issues and they're a little bit more from last game," Granato explained. "So, it's way better for him to just take the day."

2.After having a limited number of practices this month with 12 games in 20 days, the Sabres were excited to get back on the ice at LECOM Harborcenter.
Granato felt that rest has been more beneficial for the team's success than practice would be.
"The first four games of that gave me enough of the picture that we're a young team and we're learning how to play more efficient, which then is more effective or can be more effective in performance," Granato said.
"Experienced players, by virtue of their experience, tend to know how to play more efficient. I felt we are a much better team fresh. We're a fast team, we're quick, we have skill, and that deteriorates extremely fast upon fatigue."
Samuelsson thought that the stretch was a test for the young group and that the guys handled it well, allowing them to forge an identity.
"I think we just respect whatever team we're playing, but we don't fear them," Samuelsson said. "I think we go into these buildings, and we know we can win, and we just try to play our game. We've been playing good lately."
Cozens echoed Samuelsson's comments and added that the team is constantly learning how to overcome challenges.
"We know that we can beat any team in this league, and we know how good of a team that we are," Cozens said. "So, if we lose, we're mad about that, but every team loses. The best teams in the league lose, so we just have to learn from those loses and just get back and get ready for the next one."

3.The Sabres picked up seven of a possible eight points on the road against Dallas, St. Louis, Winnipeg, and Minnesota, but are looking forward to being back on home ice.
"After a long road trip playing on the road in front of other team's fans, we're excited to get back here and play in front of our fans," Cozens said. "The atmosphere here has been incredible. It really does help us and gives us that boost when it's packed with them. It's so fun to play in front of."
Buffalo hosts the Hurricanes on Wednesday for Choose Love Night, which will put a spotlight on the Black community and local Black-owned businesses.
"I can't stress how much easier it is for us to play when you have that crowd behind you and you have that atmosphere," Sabres captain Kyle Okposo said.
"You really do feed off the intensity, the energy of the crowd, and they've been awesome. I know that we talk about it in here all the time, how much we love playing at our place when it's full.
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4.With 56 points and a 26-19-4 record, including a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 games, the Sabres sit just one point out of a Wild Card spot.
Granato said that the group is aware of where it is in the standings but must take things one game at a time.
"I look at the standings, but I also know when I look at the standings, they're completely irrelevant," Granato shared. "Moving forward, there's jobs to be done, work to be done, and that's exciting. Every day's an exciting challenge at this level."

With over 30 games left in the season, Cozens said the team understands just how important every game is from here.
"As many games as there are left, we know that every game matters and that every point matters," he said. "When the 82nd game is played, we want to be happy looking where we are in the standings. So, we know that we can't look too far ahead, but we've got to go out and win every single game we play and know that every point matters."