For the better part of two months, we’ve known which eight teams will be advancing to the Eastern Conference playoffs, compounding the monotonous quality that late regular-season games often hold. With nothing to play for but pride, the Buffalo Sabres had other ideas, debuting 2021 first-overall pick Owen Power in front of his hometown crowd versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
Standing at six-foot-six with a long gait and a booming shot, Power is an unmistakable presence on the ice and he certainly didn’t look out of place during his first NHL game.