The 23-year-old center took a step back after a career-high 31 goals last season
The Buffalo Sabres sent the Key Bank Center patrons home on Fan Appreciation Night with some enthusiasm after their 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals ended uncharacteristically with fights between Washington’s Max Pacioretty and Tom Wilson, and Tage Thompson of the Sabres, but after being eliminated from the postseason for the 13th straight season earlier in the week, feelings of dejection and disappointment have pervaded the organization.
"We've got to take what we can from it and learn as much as we can. We obviously didn't play nearly as good as we could." Sabres center Dylan Cozens said after the game on Thursday. "We were in it until the end, so you got to just look at as positive as you can and just (be) extremely motivated this offseason, and know that we're all going to work as hard as we can to make sure that the Buffalo Sabres are in the playoffs next year."
Cozens expressed frustration early in the year about not being able to break out offensively, as was the case with a number of teammates coming off a year in which the Sabres were third in the NHL with 296 goals. After a career-high 31 goals last season, the 23-year-old center said he expected more from himself in the first year of a seven-year, $49.7 million contract extension. The 2019 first-rounder has 16 goals in 77 games and has struggled down the stretch, scoring twice in the last 19 games (including an empty netter in the win over the Capitals).
"We know we disappointed a lot of people, we disappointed ourselves. All we can do is work hard, and come back better next year." Cozens said. "We've learned a lot this year and it's only going to help us in the long run."
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