Lyubushkin's comfort showing in recent production

PHILADELPHIA -Buffalo Sabres defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin isn't known for putting up prolific offensive numbers. When the Sabres acquired the rugged, hard-nosed defenseman via free agency in the offseason, their goal was to solidify their depth on the blue line with a few key attributes.
"I think my job is to play simpler, more aggressive," Lyubushkin said following the team's practice on Thursday afternoon. "Play good defense to help my team."
Lyubushkin is one of those defensemen whose impact doesn't always show up in the box score. But in case you've looked at one recently, his recent production has come as no surprise.
The Russian defenseman has collected three points in his last four games including a goal in the Sabres' 5-4 overtime loss to the Capitals on Wednesday night. While points aren't his priority, it's a reminder for Lyubushkin that hard work does indeed pay off.

"You have to work hard and just stay on the same way every game," Lyubushkin said. "Sometimes you don't have a point, sometimes you have a point."

The Sabres believe this version of Lyubushkin resembles more of what they bargained for when they brought him to Buffalo. It wasn't as seamless of a transition as anticipated, but adversity doesn't just build character, it reveals it.
Lyubushkin was dealing with a nagging lower-body injury through the first 30-plus games of the season. He tried to battle through the issues but missed five games at the beginning of the season and nine more contests in mid-December.
"It's tough but when you (playing) the game you don't think about it you just to try to play your best for your team," Lyubushkin said.
It may have taken longer than he wanted to get back to full speed, but the coaching staff has meticulously worked with him to iron out any wrinkles in his game. Don Granato, assistant coach Marty Wilford, and development coach Dan Girardi worked closely with Lyubushkin to remove any hesitation in his game that had crept in as a result of his injury.
If you ask his current partner Riley Stillman, any delay in his decision making or overall game is long in his rearview mirror.
"I don't see that right now (hesitation)," Stillman said. "I think him and I, we play together, and we bring an element that we both trust each other so no matter what happens, we're going to back each other up."
The two players embrace that abrasive style and it permeates to the rest of the guys down the bench.
"Our team needs that, and they bring that element of physicality. I think they feed off each other," Granato said. "They both have that in their identity, they want to play aggressive and assertive and physical. I think they're energized by each other's presence. "
Stillman and Lyubushkin have teamed up for a total of 48:08 over the last six games. During that span the Sabres have held the edge in shot attempts 58-36 at 5-on-5.
"It's been great. Him and I have great chemistry," Stillman said. "I think we both kind of play a similar style, simple and hard and make it hard on the other team's lines to play against us."
Lyubushkin echoed Stillman's sentiment about their playing style. If his numbers are any indication, he clearly feels at home. While Stillman may have helped buoy Lyubushkin on the ice, it's Lyubushkin who has helped Stillman off it.
"I think when you come to a new team and you have a new partner, it's important to hang out off the ice and understand what the guy's interests are," Stillman said.
Like any successful relationship in life, communication and trust is key. The two plan to bond more off the ice on the team's current three-game road trip.
"You just want someone that has your back and is honest at the end of the day," Stillman said. "That's my teammate and I'd run through a wall for him."