Beaulieu ready to return as Sabres host Blues

Nathan Beaulieu admits that this has been one of the most difficult seasons of his career, largely because he's had to navigate uncharted waters when it comes to missing time. Whether it's been illness or injury, ailments have forced the defenseman to miss 18 games spread over four different stretches.
His latest return lasted all of 1:15 when, after missing two games with an illness, he went down hard from a fight with Calgary Flames forward Curtis Lazar. He's missed four games since then with an upper-body injury, from which he'll make his return when the Sabres host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
"It's obviously been really rough," Beaulieu said. "I've been in some unfamiliar waters, so I don't really know how these situations work. It's been extremely difficult but I'm trying to find some positives. We've still got 30 games left, and my goal is to play the next 30 solid."

Beaulieu came to Buffalo during the offseason with a reputation of being a puck-moving, skating defenseman who could contribute to the team's five-man attack. He'd set career-highs for points in each of his past two seasons with Montreal, having most recently scored 28 points in 74 games last season.
That offensive impact hasn't come as easily since joining the Sabres, largely because of how difficult it's been for Beaulieu to grow comfortable with his new team. He's scored four points (1+3) in 33 games but hasn't played more than 12 games in a row.
"I think for him it starts from our own end out," Sabres coach Phil Housley said. "Just his defensive reads and positioning and knowing who's around him and boxing out and doing a good job defensively.
"We all know what Nate brings offensively. His skating mobility, his puck mobility, being able to join in the rush, be a part of our five-man offensive scheme. But I think it starts from there, just the simple reads and coverage and playing sound defensively."

Beaulieu echoed his coach's assessment, saying he'll have to ease into games before bringing the offensive style he's known for.
"Picking your spots is always important," he said. "Being out, you watch the games and you want to jump in, you want to help out. But, one of my first games back, you've got to be careful. You've got to just keep it really simple and play the game safe and build on it."
Coverage on Saturday begins at 6:30 p.m. with the GMC Game Night Pregame Show on MSG-B, or you can listen live on WGR 550.
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Larsson suspended two games

The Sabres will be without forward Johan Larsson, who was suspended for two games on Friday following a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The suspension was the result of Larsson's cross-check on Florida's Vincent Trocheck on Thursday, which earned him a match penalty.
Larsson said his intention was to cross-check Trocheck in the chest or lower shoulder, but his stick instead slid upward and made contact with the Florida forward's head. While he accepted the suspension, he admitted to being surprised about receiving two games as a first-time offender.
"I was a little surprised I got two games, but it is what it is now," he said.
The move from Larsson came in retaliation to Trocheck's cross-check on Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe, one of several incidents during a third period in which a combined 68 penalty minutes were assessed.
"I was a little surprised [by the suspension]," Housley said. "I think just the way game played out, tempers were high. There was some chippy play on both parts and being in the heat of the battle. But you have to make decisions and we'll have to live by it."
Larsson's absence creates an opportunity for Evan Rodrigues, who will return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch on Thursday. Rodrigues played what was arguably his best game in Buffalo's overtime loss to the Blues on Dec. 10, when he scored two goals in a season-high 16:29.
"I think he's just got to get back to that," Housley said. "I think his game slipped a little bit, he realized that. I think he's just got to have some more attitude and bring some urgency to his game."

Scouting the Blues

When the Sabres visited St. Louis in early December, the Blues were playing without their top defenseman in Alex Pietrangelo and one of their top forwards in Jaden Schwartz. Both players will be in the lineup this time around, adding to a roster that already includes Brayden Schenn (51 points) and Vladimir Tarasenko (47 points) up front and Colton Parayko on the back end.
"They've got good balance," Housley said. "You always talk about St. Louis, you talk about LA, Winnipeg, they're heavy teams to play against. You look at their back end, they've got a lot of range. They're good in front of their net, protecting their goalie, and they can come at you in waves.
"So, we understand what we're up against and they present a lot of problems, but we have to focus on what we we're going to do."
They key for the Sabres will be starting with the emotion they exhibited in the second and third periods of their game on Thursday, when they dominated the Panthers from an analytical standpoint for the final 40 minutes only to come fall short of a comeback in a 4-2 loss.
The Blues have a 24-4-1 record when scoring first this season. They're 17-0-1 when leading after one period and 24-0-1 when leading after two.
"I think it's a three-period game," Beaulieu said. "Guys played extremely well in the second and third but if you get behind in this league, it's so hard to come back. A full 60-minute effort has been our Achilles this year. It's been hurting us a lot."
Carter Hutton is expected to start in net for the Blues. He'll be opposed by Robin Lehner for the Sabres.