Craig Berube on Oliver Ekman-Larsson's status for Game 1 of the playoffs: "He's tough and will play through things... I expect him to play, but you never know"

Ahead of a crucial playoff match against the Sabres, head coach Craig Berube emphasized the importance of clinching first place in the Atlantic Division. He acknowledged the challenge posed by the Sabres, known for their high-scoring talent and ability to start games quickly. Berube highlighted the team's ongoing effort to maintain a strong identity throughout the season, focusing on skillful play and defensive strategies. He noted that while there are moments of distraction, the players have generally managed to stay focused and resilient, especially in high-pressure situations.

You are always trying to work on your identity. That hasn't stopped throughout the season. It is always something we focus on in terms of how we want to play the game with our identity.

This team is scoring a lot of goals lately and has high-end talent. We have to make sure we are checking and making sure we are checking and playing the game right early on.

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