Read: Is Artem Anisimov Starting To Play Better?
Artem Anisimov has not registered a point dating back to December 23rd.
During that stretch Anisimov has played less than 12 minutes five times, and under ten twice, but rebounded in the last game to play over 16 minutes.
Against Buffalo, Anisimov had three shots in a game for the first time since the Winter Classic.
John Tortorella told the Daily News before the game that he could see Anisimov’s game starting to come around:
I think the last two or three games, he’s put together some shifts where you can see his game coming back, and so I’m going to keep bouncing him around. I started doing it a couple games ago. I think that’s very important to us, is to try to find a way to get him going. I need to show him a little bit of that as long as he gives me something to hang my hat on.”
He was definitely noticeable against the Sabres and saw some time with Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan. Miller robbed him with a glove save one time, but he was working hard and definitely the best he had been in quite a while. His game went cold around Christmas and he stopped moving his legs and stopped shooting the puck and got demoted to play with Mike Rupp. Artie is an important guy on the ice but may also be their best trade chip to package to make a move now or at the draft.
