Buffalo Sabres Alumni To Watch In 2015 NHL Playoffs

The Buffalo Sabres season may be over, but there are plenty of former Sabres players still in action around the National Hockey League with their respective teams in the playoffs.

Series-by-series, here’s the breakdown of former blue & gold-ers in the 2015 race for the Stanley Cup.

Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens

For the Senators, former Sabres forward Clarke MacArthur searches for his first Stanley Cup. MacArthur was a minus-2 and had 12 penalty minutes in game one of the first round. He also had a team-high seven hits!

A pair of former Sabres players are suiting up in the bleu, blanc et rouge for the Habs: Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell.

Flynn had the game-winning goal for the Canadiens on Wednesday, also adding two assists for three points and a first-star performance with just 10:17 ice time. Mitchell also scored and was a plus-2 in 13:15. He won 67 percent of his faceoffs.

New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

There’s a pair of former Buffalo Sabres players in this series: both of the goaltenders on the Islanders side. Jaroslav Halak played in game one, stopping 24 of 25 shots faced. He was backed up by fellow former Sabres netminder Michal Neuvirth. No former Sabres on the Capitals!

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators

If you’re out and about, give a honk for the GOOSE… Paul Gaustad, that is, who’s in the playoff run with the Predators. Gaustad remains a great faceoff guy, winning 74 percent of his faceoffs in game one. He also had three blocked shots.

No former Sabres on the Blackhawks.

Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks

Obviously the biggest name here in terms of former Buffalo Sabres players is Ryan Miller — but it was Eddie Lack, not Miller, who suited up in game one of the series on Wednesday night. It’s still uncertain whether or not Miller will get the chance to start game two.

No former Sabres on the Flames.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. NY Rangers

Former Sabres player Dominic Moore is in the postseason with the Rangers, beginning with the team’s series tonight in Manhattan.

On the other side of things, defenseman Christian Ehrhoff remains out for the Penguins with a head injury. He’s reportedly close to a return, but didn’t play in Thursday’s game one.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

There are no former Buffalo Sabres players in this series!

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues

This series is chock-full of former Buffalo Sabres players, particularly in “Buffalo West” aka Minnesota. No, seriously — there are four former Sabres in the Wild lineup alone.

Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, Jordan Leopold AND Chris Stewart all structure the Wild lineup as their series begins Thursday night in St. Louis.

Meanwhile, the Blues have a pair of former Sabres players: former captain Steve Ott, and defenseman Chris Butler. It’s a series chock full of Sabres alums, so keep an eye on this one.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets

The Jets, of course, have former Buffalo Sabres players Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers, who have had success recently since their trade to Winnipeg. Also on the Jets: Chris Thorburn and Adam Pardy.

How much success will they see in the postseason?

There are no former Sabres players on the Ducks.

In Summary

So — there you have it. A heaping spoonful of former Buffalo Sabres players are in the 2015 NHL playoffs at this point. Nearly every series has at least one former Sabre, if not more, so keep an eye on these guys as we get every close to the Stanley Cup.

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