Zizing 'Em Up: Sabres coach Granato can relate to Hamlin-Bills situation

Don Granato watched Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapse on the football field and start receiving emergency medical treatment during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He couldn't watch anymore.

Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato watched Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapse on the football field and start receiving emergency medical treatment. Granado had a similar experience three years ago. He is in Washington hotel room preparing for the Sabres' game at the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. NHL.com staff writer Mike Zeisberger has been covering the NHL regularly since 1999.

Bills player Ryan Hamlin had a cardiac arrest on the field and needed CPR to restart his heart. He is recovering in Cincinnati. Granato was a Sabres assistant coach last year. His illness changed his view on life and reminded him how vulnerable people are. The Sabres beat the Capitals 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday. They arrived at the arena wearing t-shirts that read "Love for 3". Kyle Okposo credited the idea to Nicole Hendricks, the team's senior director of communications.   She credited Ok Posso for coming up with the slogan. It was used by her. Ham Lin is talking to his teammates via zoom from his hospital bed.

Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers is one of the top contenders for the Calder Trophy for rookie of year. He scored his 13th goal of this season on Thursday. Seattle coach Dave Hakstol has noticed growth in Benier's game and confidence. He plays on the same line as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The coach also mentions Sidney Crosby and Nathan McKinnion. It's a tough game for them. They lost 7-2 to them on Dec. 30.

Rick Jeanneret texted Jim Ralph after the game between Toronto and St. Louis. JeAnneret was joking about the fact that Ralph plays goal for both teams. Ralph played for Ottawa from 1978-82 and holds the Ottawa franchise record for goalie wins (107), games played (175), and goalie assists (11).

Doug Gilmour and Craig Berube were traded on Jan. 2, 31 years ago. Gil mour got Ric Nattress, Jamie Macoun, Kent Manderville and Rick Wamsley in exchange for Berubut, Gary Leeman, Alexander Godynyuk, Michel Petit and Jeff Reese.

The NHL season is approaching the midway point. Here are three preseason predictions that were wrong.

The Boston Bruins had four regulation losses in 38 games entering Friday. Granato can relate to the situation involving Hamlin and Bills.

Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine will play together with Columbus Blue Jackets. The team has 24 points, while Chicago has 20.

The Maple Leafs are tied for fourth with the Carolina Hurricanes in goals-against per game (2.67).