Sabres Daily: Eichel Leads Vegas In Game 1 Win; Babcock Back

Former Buffalo Sabres are prominent on the rosters of both the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights and former team captain Jack Eichel made the most impact of the eight ex-Sabres in the Golden Knights 5-2 Game 1 victory on Saturday.

ZACH WHITECLOUD'S FIRST #StanleyCup FINAL GOAL IS A GAME-WINNER!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/9pJ7OxIUBI

— z – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 4, 2023

Jack Eichel had two assists, including on Zach Whitecloud’s game-winning goal early in the third period, and played 21:27 on the night (the most of any Vegas forward), Brayden McNabb had an assist, two hits, and one blocked shot in 19:47, and William Carrier had three hits and one blocked shot in 9:35.

For the Panthers, fourth-liner Eric Staal opened the scoring with a wraparound short-handed goal and played 12:05, Sam Reinhart had three shots on goal and two hits in 21:09, Brandon Montour saw the most ice time of any skater in the contest (25:59), while Zac Dalpe played the least(5:40).

An Eric Staal shorty in his 100th #StanleyCup Playoff game gets the party started! 🕺 pic.twitter.com/pfGeh4soLD

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 4, 2023

Sabres In Case You Missed It

• Karmanos Gets Second Interview For Pens GM Job
• Savoie Will Play For Amerks In Calder Cup Playoffs
• Eichel Inches Closer To Cup Final
• Okposo Coming Back To Complete Unfinished Business
• Bears Even Series With Americans
• Sabres Sign Ryan Johnson To Two-Year Deal
• Amerks Collapse Late, Trail Bears 3-1 In Eastern Final
• Sabres Building Future On The Returns Of Past Failures
• Mock Drafts Have Sabres Taking American Prospects at #13
• Could Hellebuyck Be Solution To Sabres Goalie Issues?

Babs Back

Various outlets are reporting that former Anaheim, Detroit and Toronto head coach Mike Babcock will return behind the bench with the Columbus Blue Jackets in early July when his eight-year deal with the Maple Leafs expires. Babcock was relieved of his duties in November 2019 by former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas in favor of Sheldon Keefe, who currently is in limbo with Toronto after the dismissal of Dubas last month.

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