Adams after OT win: 'We're all just thinking about Damar'

WASHINGTON -Kevyn Adams spoke on behalf of the Buffalo Sabres following their 5-4 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals inside Capital One Arena on Tuesday, their minds still squarely on the well-being of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the Bills' game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. He remained hospitalized in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center as of the latest update issued by the Bills at 1:23 p.m. Tuesday.
"Our thoughts and our hearts and prayers are with Damar's family and the entire Bills organization," Adams said. "What happened last night is something that makes the game itself and any sport secondary. So, it was a tough day for all of us.
"As a community, we care. We care about each other in Buffalo and as organizations we care about each other. I know our players felt that this morning. We're all just thinking about Damar."

The Sabres honored Hamlin by wearing T-shirts that read "Love For 3," a reference to Hamlin's jersey number, when they entered Capital One Arena. The tribute proved to be prescient.
Tage Thompson scored three goals to fuel Buffalo to a comeback victory, including the winner exactly three minutes into overtime. The winner was his 30th goal of the season; the hat trick was his third. Alex Tuch assisted on the goal to complete a three-point night.

The performance was the result of a concerted effort by the Sabres to put their best foot forward in the wake of tragedy for the second time in two weeks. They had made it a point of pride to win in front of a sellout crowd against Detroit last Thursday, their first game after the devastating, historic blizzard that had hit Western New York before Christmas.
They took the ice Tuesday with a similar mindset - to honor a fellow athlete and to do their best for those back home who were traumatized by the incident.
"I will say that we have great leadership in the room and there's an emotional connection to the city from our team," Adams said. "And it was tough, to be honest - this morning, the conversations. But they also, I think, know how much our team means to the city and just wanted to go out and do what we could today to put our best foot forward."

Adams started the day by meeting with coach Don Granato and captain Kyle Okposo, then met with the team at large.
"I made sure that I talked to the players, told them to be honest how proud I am of them and what they've done as a community through a lot of tough times," he said.
"… Of course, our thoughts and prayers and everybody in that room was with [Hamlin's] family and the Bills - but I just wanted them to know that they're such an important part of our community and the fabric of what Buffalo is all about. I wanted them to hear that from me."