Sens' Cozens energized by joining playoff race: 'It felt great'

Dylan Cozens has a brand-new perspective on his season after a promising debut with the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

The newly acquired forward registered an assist, a career-high nine hits, and 17:27 of ice time in his first game with Ottawa - a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers to push the Senators into the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

"It felt great," Cozens said, per Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. "You couldn't have drawn it up any better with a little comeback win in overtime for the first one. I'm so happy and excited to be part of this group and do something special here."

Cozens was the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade Friday that sent Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres. Cozens never made the playoffs during his five seasons with the Sabres, who entered Saturday's scheduled last in the East.

"These big, meaningful games, you just get up for them so much more," he said. "You get so excited to play every night and go to war. I'm excited for what's to come."

The Senators are pushing for their first payoff berth since 2017 when they reached Game 7 of the conference final.

Cozens produced 31 points in 61 games prior to the trade to Ottawa. He's under contract through 2030 at a $7.1-million cap hit.