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    Michael Augello
    Apr 21, 2025, 20:22
    Toronto's Oliver Ekman-Larsson celebrates the Leafs opening goal against former Sabre Dylan Cozens and the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.  

    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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    Carolina On My Mind

    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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