Ryan O' Reilly says his career was revamped by winning the Cup

After once admitting to losing his love of the game while playing for the Buffalo Sabres, Ryan O'Reilly now says his career has been completely changed by winning the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues.

"I think it's completely revamped my entire hockey career," O'Reilly said on the "Hockey Sense Podcast" with Andy Strickland.

"In the NHL, never really getting a good taste of winning and never winning a playoff series and then coming here (St. Louis) and you win the ultimate hockey goal. It completely changed that part of me to be now known as a winner."

Now 29, O'Reilly spent three seasons with the Sabres. After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, the forward stated "“I've lost the love of the game multiple times and just need to get back to it because it's eating myself up, and eats the other guys up, too. It's tough.” Playing for the Blues completely turned that situation around, though as he potted a career-best 28 goals and 77 points in 2018-19, earning both the Selke Trophy and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. In the playoffs, O'Reilly led the Blues with 23 points in 26 contests and claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP.

O'Reilly and the Blues will be looking for a repeat performance once the NHL's 24-team post season format begins. In 71 games this season before the league suspended play, O'Reilly had 12 goals and 49 assists for 61 points.

Source: Hockey Sense Podcast

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