Don Granato tossed out much of the game plan as the Buffalo Sabres prepared for their first game in 10 days, a conscientious effort to allow his players to lean on the emotion he knew they would feel in the wake of the tragic blizzard that paralyzed Western New York through the holidays.
Granato has seen this Sabres team, constructed under the guiding principle of assembling players who want to be in Buffalo, take ownership of putting the organization on the right track. He expected them to rise to the occasion in the face of tragedy.
"The passion our guys have for being a Buffalo Sabre, being in our community … I could sense that energy," Granato said.
Okposo's 'symbolic' hat trick fuels Sabres in emotional victory
Buffalo rose to the occasion in front of a sold-out KeyBank Center on Thursday

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POSTGAME: Granato
POSTGAME: Okposo
POSTGAME: Mittlestadt