On Saturday night, it was clear who Keybank Arena was rooting against. Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights came to town and the Buffalo Sabres fanbase let their voices heard as to how they still felt about the Stanley Cup winner.
Several former Sabres have gone on to win Stanley Cups in the last few years. The Ottawa Senators may be one of the teams looking to make a run in the postseason. They recently traded for and acquired Sabres center, Dylan Cozens.
Cozens had spent the last five seasons in Buffalo and scored 77 goals in his NHL career with the Sabres. He was one of the best players on the team and no one questioned why Ottawa made the trade.
In addition to his time on the ice he was present at several charity events in Buffalo and was seen participating throughout Western New York. He donated memorabilia last summer at a golf tournament to benefit for diabetes and educational support in the area.
Buffalo should have no hard feelings with the Cozens or the Senators. In his five games with Ottawa, he has two goals and two assists and a plus-5.
Cozens and the Senators currently are at 77 points leading the Eastern Conference in the wild card standings
The Buffalo fanbase is staring at another season without the postseason and they will need a team or player to latch onto during the playoffs. Last season, many fans were happy to see veteran and longtime Sabre, Kyle Okposo win a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers.
The fanbase still has yet to get over Jack Eichel's time in Buffalo and more than likely will not be rooting on the Golden Knights this postseason.
In addition to Cozens on Ottawa, the Senators acquired Dennis Gilbert from the Sabres. Gilbert had spent this season with Buffalo and had five assists on the year despite being low on the depth chart and suffering some injuries.
The Sabres acquired Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker in the trade. Additionally, they gained a draft pick next season. If Buffalo can rebound next year and the assets the acquired contribute, they may look back at this trade with fondness.
For now, though, the Sabre fanbase can look back with the same fondness on Cozens time in Buffalo. Some in the city could be happy, if Ottawa wins the Stanley Cup and sees Cozens hoist it this summer.