BUFFALO – The crowd kept roaring. For more than a minute late in Thursday’s 5-2 win, the fans saluted one of their favorites, winger Jason Pominville, after he capped off an emotional day by scoring perhaps his last goal for the Sabres.
The noise wouldn’t stop after Pominville, 36, was announced as the scorer, so after receiving a signal from his teammates, one of the greatest players in franchise history skated to center ice and acknowledged the standing ovation from the crowd of 17,988 inside KeyBank Center.
The fans cheered again as the Sabres on the bench tapped their sticks.
“It was definitely nice to see that and to get that type of ovation, for sure,” Pominville said after the Sabres ended their eight-game losing streak by beating the Ottawa Senators. “I’m definitely not the type of guy that likes that type of attention. But the boys were giving me a signal to go to the middle and give a wave.”
In a disastrous season full of more losing and turmoil, Pominville’s goal 12:57 into the third period – it was a simple shot from the right boards that deflected in – provided a rare moment to celebrate. It was his 217th with the Sabres, moving him past Don Luce into sole possession of 10th place on the team’s all-time list.
“I’ve really enjoyed every moment,” Pominville said as his voice cracked. “I don’t know what the future holds. But (I’m going to) enjoy the next couple of days and hopefully get another win and take a step back and make some decisions, I guess.”
All season long, Pominville has insisted he hasn’t thought much about his future. But Thursday morning, as he drove to the rink before the home finale, he couldn’t help but wonder what it holds.
It hit him after 10 seasons with the Sabres, Thursday could be his final appearance wearing Blue and Gold in Buffalo.
The thought of his Sabres career ending caused Pominville to break down while chatting with the media prior to the game.
“I’ve tried to soak in pretty much everything throughout my career,” Pominville said Thursday morning as he fought back tears. “Since I’ve been drafted – that was in ‘01 – all I’ve wanted to do is wear the sweater. I’ve been fortunate enough to do it for a while.
“But the drive in this morning, was, yeah, I definitely had to think about it, for sure.”
After that, Pominville wiped away some tears. He asked to temporarily end the interview so he could compose himself.
“I didn’t anticipate having to leave emotional this morning, that’s for sure,” Pominville said following the game “But I was, and even throughout the day I kind of was and throughout the game.”
Pominville will become an unrestricted free agent following the season. Given the Sabres’ sorry campaign and his advanced age, the chances of him returning might be slim.
Sabres coach Phil Housley honored Pominville by putting him in the starting lineup beside top center Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson. When Pominville’s name was announced, the crowd roared for one of the most popular Sabres in recent memory.
Pominville is the last link to the rollicking post-lockout days of 2006 and 2007, when the Sabres ranked among the NHL’s heavyweights.
Two fans held up signs during warm-ups that read, “Thank you, Jason.”
Pominville has showcased terrific longevity. Only one player older than him, Carolina Hurricanes forward Justin Williams, has scored more than his 16 goals this season. He has spent much of the campaign skating beside Eichel.
Of course, at times, he has also shown his age. Housley has recently scratched him. He skated on the fourth line Thursday beside center Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons.
Whatever happens, the affable Pominville keeps quietly going about his business.
“He’s a remarkable person, No. 1, the consummate teammate, the true professional,” Housley said. “He does what we ask him to do with no hesitation. He just has a great attitude when he comes to the rink. He does things the right way.
“It’s been invaluable to have his leadership in the room. … I’ve just been thrilled to have him part of our group.”
Housley said Pominville “wears his heart on his sleeve.”
“(He gives) everything that he has every night, regardless of what ice time he’s getting,” Housley said. “He never complained. He wants to make a difference. He truly believes in this organization, the past and recent present.
“It’s been grinding here for all of us, but he’s been one of the guys, he’s been at the forefront preaching, playing the right way.”
Pominville made his NHL debut in 2003-04 and joined the Sabres for good two years later, scoring the overtime goal that pushed them past the Senators into the 2006 Eastern Conference final.
He scored 30 goals twice and was an NHL All-Star in 2011-12 before the Sabres traded him to the Minnesota Wild in 2013.
Sabres general manager Jason Botterill, a former teammate of Pominville’s, brought him back in a trade before the 2017-18 season. He played his 1,000th NHL game Nov. 1 in Ottawa.
Pominville, who captained the Sabres for two seasons, has compiled 293 goals and 726 points in 1,059 NHL games. He wore an ‘A’ as an alternate captain Thursday.
The former second-round pick ranks eighth in assists (303), points (520) and games (732) in franchise history.
What does Pominville want to tell the fans?
“Thank you for everything,” Pominville said. “I left probably in tears, came back with a smile and who knows what’s going to happen now? But (I’ve) definitely enjoyed every moment of it, for sure.”
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Housley said winger Alexander Nylander missed Thursday’s game because he suffered a lower-body cut in Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators.
The rookie, who’s day-to-day, needed stitches and is taking medication. Housley expects he will be ready for the AHL playoffs with the Rochester Americans later this month.
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The Sabres announced the following end-of-season award winners Thursday: Eichel, MVP; defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, Rookie of the Year; goalie Carter Hutton, Unsung Hero; defenseman Zach Bogosian, Man of the Year.
With one goal and three points against the Senators, Eichel became the first Sabre to hit the 80-point mark since Pominville and Derek Roy in 2007-08.
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Olofsson and winger Kyle Okposo both scored power-play goals. Winger Sam Reinhart also scored. Hutton made 21 saves.
