BOSTON — Bowen Byram didn’t know what he didn’t know back in 2022. He was 20 and playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in his career, and the Colorado Avalanche leaned on him heavily on their way to winning the Stanley Cup.
During Colorado’s run, Byram played more five-on-five minutes than anyone in the final. The Avalanche outshot the Lightning 79-44 during Byram’s five-on-five minutes. He also piled up nine assists in 20 games during those playoffs, but one thing was missing: a goal.
During Game 4 against the Lightning, Byram ripped a shot off the crossbar in overtime. Nazem Kadri ended up winning the game for the Avalanche later in overtime. Then, in Game 6, the deciding game of the series, Byram hit the iron again. He had already set up Nathan MacKinnon for the score-tying goal. Then he had what could have been the game-winning goal on his stick. He zipped a shot over Andrei Vasilevskiy’s shoulder, but it hit the post. Artturi Lehkonen scored later in that period, and it ended up being the game-winner.
Bad puck luck is easier to handle when you end up with a Stanley Cup ring, but the following year, the hockey gods toyed with Byram again. The Avalanche were facing elimination in Game 6 of their first-round series against the Seattle Kraken. In the first period, Byram was trailing the rush and found some open ice. He collected a pass and finally finished with his first career playoff goal.
But then the Kraken challenged the play for offside and were successful. Byram’s goal was overturned. The Avalanche lost that series in seven games, and Byram was sitting on zero playoff goals in 27 games.
Coming into this season, he hadn’t played in a playoff series since that 2023 matchup against the Kraken. Now 24 and in his second full season with the Buffalo Sabres, Byram started this season as the only Sabre who had won the Cup. He also set career highs with 11 goals and 42 points. But he was still well aware that he was searching for that first career playoff goal.
“I definitely knew,” Byram said with a laugh while soaking in the Sabres’ Game 3 win over the Boston Bruins this week. “I wasn’t necessarily thinking about that. Just doing what I can do (to) help the team win.”
In three playoff games with the Sabres, Byram already has two goals. His first career playoff goal came late in a Game 2 loss at home. The Sabres were already trailing 4-0 in the game, so it didn’t have nearly the same juice that any of his near misses would have had.
In Boston in Game 3, Byram’s goal tied the score at one. He was trailing the play and found a pocket of ice, but wasn’t necessarily expecting Noah Östlund to be able to find him with the pass. When Östlund snuck the puck through a few skates and sticks in front of the net, Byram didn’t hesitate to hammer a one-timer before Jeremy Swayman could get set. He didn’t get all of it, but the release was quick enough to beat Swayman. He was owed a bit of puck luck anyway.
“There were a few times in that run where I hit some posts and whatnot,” he said. “It’s nice to find the back of the net.”
Byram is bringing more than just goals to the Sabres. Of the 25 players who have dressed in these three games, 13 had never been to the playoffs. Of those 25, Byram is the only one who has won the Stanley Cup. And while he’s not wearing the Stanley Cup ring to team dinners, Byram’s championship pedigree is still obvious to those in Buffalo’s locker room.
“He just seems very poised,” Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson said. “I think maybe the first couple of games, maybe guys were a little nervous or didn’t want to be the guy to make a mistake or whatever. Bo just plays his game, makes plays, holds onto pucks. It’s impressive to watch. You can tell he’s played in maybe some bigger games than round one. Experience helps.”
Throughout Colorado’s Stanley Cup run, MacKinnon commented on how unusual it was that Byram didn’t seem nervous at his age. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said then that Byram is best when he’s playing on instinct, and he manages to do that even in the most pressure-packed situations.
The Sabres have needed that early in this series against the Bruins. All three games have been tight, physical and emotional. Byram, known in Buffalo’s locker room for his quick sense of humor and laid-back personality, has been an important voice in the room at 24.
“He’s a gamer,” Sabres forward Tage Thompson said. “He lives for these big games. He wants to be a difference-maker. You see that out there.”
Of Buffalo’s defensemen, only Samuelsson has handled tougher defensive assignments than Byram, according to HockeyStatCards. He has the top average game score among Sabres players through three games in the playoffs. During his five-on-five minutes, the Sabres have outscored the Bruins 4-2 and have a 30-17 advantage in scoring chances. Among the Sabres’ top four defensemen, Byram has had the fewest shifts that have started in the offensive zone.
Sabres forward Josh Doan said Byram is still the one keeping things light in the room daily. That’s been important for some players who haven’t been in this situation to see.
“Seeing him go from that into being in playoff mode is something that I think is huge for our group, just knowing you can still relax and enjoy this playoff experience and not be too serious all the time,” Doan said. “Then, when the time comes to dial it in, you see that with him. He’s steady and looks ready to go at all times. That helps control the group a little bit.”
After a Game 3 win in which he had a goal and an assist, Byram leaned against his locker stall in the visiting dressing room and brushed off the question about how his experience has helped this team.
“I think our whole group feels pretty comfortable, to be honest,” Byram said. “We’re a confident group when we’re playing how we can. We’re a dangerous team, so I definitely feel confident myself, but I don’t think it’s necessarily just me.”
Lineup notes
• The Sabres made another change to their top power play in an effort to break the 0-for-36 slump the team is in. Östlund replaced Jack Quinn on the top unit at practice Saturday, joining Rasmus Dahlin, Thompson, Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker on the Sabres’ first power play. Byram, Doan, Quinn, Ryan McLeod and Zach Benson are Buffalo’s second unit.
Östlund had a goal and an assist in his playoff debut on Thursday night. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said having another left-handed shot with that group was part of what factored into the decision. Thompson said it will be valuable to have one-timers on both sides.
“I think they have to respect his shot over there,” Thompson said.
Ruff also noted Östlund’s playmaking ability as a reason he’s with that top group.
• Alex Lyon had the net to himself at practice on Saturday, indicating that he is in line to make his second straight start in this series. In his first start, Lyon stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced and helped the Sabres bounce back with a win. It’s no surprise Ruff is going back to the veteran.
• Josh Norris did not practice on Saturday, and Ruff said he is still day to day.
