TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 08: Ilya Protas #62 of the Washington Capitals takes a rookie lap prior to playing in his first NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on April 08, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff addresses the media following an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff addresses the media following an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Jack Quinn #22 celebrates his empty net goal with Jason Zucker #17 of the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Pontus Holmberg #29 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is helped off the ice by athletic training staff during the third period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a glove save during the third period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save during the third period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Jack Quinn #22 celebrates his empire net goal with Ryan McLeod #71 of the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)