The Buffalo Sabres did not qualify for the postseason (again), but a number of their former players are expected to have key roles with their clubs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as they have in recent years. After being traded to St. Louis in 2018, Ryan O’Reilly won a Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019. Former captains Jack Eichel and Kyle Okposo, defenseman Brandon Montour, and winger Sam Reinhart also won the prize with the Florida Panthers last season.
Here is how a number of former Sabres did on the opening weekend of the postseason:
Ottawa's Game 1 Flop In The Battle Of Ontario
It was the first postseason game for Dylan Cozens, who was traded to the Senators for Josh Norris on deadline day, and other than an assist on Drake Batherson’s first period goal, the most noticeable moment for the ex-Sabre in his playoff debut was nearly getting his head taken off by Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit.
Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark was not sharp in his Sens postseason debut, allowing six goals on 24 Toronto shots in the game.
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The Hurricanes took early control of their first-round series against New Jersey with a 4-1 victory in Game 1 on Sunday, and former Sabres Taylor Hall and Eric Robinson contributed to the victory. Hall had two assists, one on Logan Stankoven’s game-winner and the other on Andrei Svechnikov’s empty-netter, while Robinson set up Jalen Chatfield’s opening goal.
Other Ex-Sabres Game 1 Stats:
Erik Johnson (COL), +1, 14:00 TOI, three hits
William Carrier (CAR) +1, 12:46 TOI
Marcus Foligno (MIN) 12:05 TOI, 11 hits
Marcus Johansson (MIN) -1, 17:09 TOI
Zach Bogosian (MIN) 10:02 TOI
Jake McCabe (TOR) +1, 19:36 TOI, four blocked shots
Jack Eichel (VGK) -1, 17:12 TOI
Victor Olofsson (VGK) -1, 14:09 TOI
Brayden McNabb (VGK) 20:20 TOI, six blocked shots
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