It's no accident that Seth Griffith and Justin Bailey are the only two carryovers from Monday's lineup to tonight's. They're two of the leading candidates to compete for a roster spot on the wing out of camp, which Sabres coach Phil Housley addressed during his pregame comments.
"We just want to see what they have to offer," Housley said. "With the numbers, I thought it was a good idea to see them in another environment, see how they can adjust to a back-to-back game. This is an important time for those players."
Griffith, 24, is a proven scorer at the AHL level, having scored 77 points in 57 games with Providence two seasons ago and 44 points in 38 games for the Toronto Marlies last season. What he hasn't done is stick in the NHL, although he did play 24 games last year for the Maple Leafs and Panthers.
When Griffith signed a one-year deal on July 1, Sabres management expressed confidence that he would compete for an NHL spot. Part of the reason is his fit in Housley's system, and he was already able to score a goal on the rush on Monday.
"I felt really comfortable last night," Griffith said. "I think it really benefits me, being a guy who likes to keep moving my feet and making plays in the offensive zone and transition quickly form D, the little cycles and all that. It will really benefit my game I think."
Bailey, too, is a player who has impressed in glimpses at the NHL level but is still looking to establish consistency. He improved as the game went on against Carolina.
"The one thing I really liked and saw in the third period was tracking," Housley said. "He had a great track back and disrupted a play at our blue line. That's what speed can do, not only offensively but defensively."