‘Players play hard when Nolan asks. He was coach of the year with the Sabres, then mystifyingly wasn’t given a good offer to stay and, even more mystifyingly, didn’t have an NHL job for nine years. He and his wife reflected on that Sunday night, after it sunk in that his new team is in the playoffs against his old team. “I really enjoyed my time in Buffalo,” he said, without saying what he thought about his time ending too quickly. Nolan is enjoying this time more. So what if the Islanders are huge underdogs and the Sabres have the best record in the National Hockey League. He can enjoy the hockey without worrying about office politics.’