Five Buffalo Sabres Games You Can’t Miss This Season
Just over a week until the Buffalo Sabres regular season begins. With the talk of a “tank” spreading like fire, top NHL prospects like Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel waiting in the wings, and a rebuild underway, the 2014-2015 season will be an interesting one for the Buffalo Sabres.
Following up after Tim’s list yesterday, here’s my list of can’t-miss Buffalo Sabres games during the 2014-2015 season. Obviously I’m looking forward to opening night and the final game of the season, but here’s a few more games on the Sabres schedule that you’ll want to mark on your calendar.
Friday, October 17 vs. Florida Panthers
This will be Sabres’ fans first look at top pick Aaron Ekblad, assuming he’s healthy and on the NHL roster. If Sam Reinhart makes the Sabres, or is even with the NHL club on a tryout basis, we could see the top two picks of the 2014 NHL draft face off for the first time. In addition to Ekblad, the Panthers now have a goaltending duo of Roberto Luongo and Dan Ellis. Both new members of Panthers organization (although Luongo used to play in Florida), it’ll be interesting to see who takes the reigns in net and where it takes the team.
Tuesday, December 9 vs. Los Angeles Kings
The defending Stanley Cup Champions come to town for their lone game in Buffalo. This will be the second meeting between the Sabres and Kings after the two face off in LA on October 23. Always a good time to see the defending Cup Champs and how they fare in the following season. Sabres fans may also get a glimpse at former Amerks defenseman Brayden McNabb if he makes the NHL club in Los Angeles, and Sabres head coach Ted Nolan will have a family reunion of sorts as his son Jordan Nolan plays for the Kings.
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Thursday, January 15 vs. Minnesota Wild
A couple of former Sabres return to Buffalo, with Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek returning to Buffalo. While both have played with new teams in Buffalo, this will be the first time that both face off against the Sabres while playing together in Minnesota. The Wild lineup also includes Zach Parise, Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Suter – a solid lineup.
Sunday, February 22 vs. Nashville Predators
The Predators have several newcomers in their lineup this year, including the addition of James Neal from the Pittsburgh Penguins and former Sabres center Derek Roy. Also don’t forget another former Sabres center, Paul Gaustad, and other newcomers in Mike Ribeiro and Olli Jokinen. The Preds made a few moves this summer that have changed the face of the organization, and this will be Sabres’ fans first glance.
Monday, March 16 vs. Washington Capitals
The fifth and final game on my to-watch list is this one against the Caps, who made several additions to their lineup over the summer. Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen both join the Capitals after spending last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins – how will they fit in on the blueline?
Will Andre Burakovsky make the NHL roster? (I’m particularly vested in this one because I’m a fan of the OHL’s Erie Otters, where Burakovsky spent last season.) I’m also intrigued to see Patrick Wey if he cracks the Caps lineup, as I recall seeing him play in Buffalo during the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships.
What games are you most looking forward to in the 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres’ season? Look for more posts from the staff here at SabreNoise and feel free to leave your top games to watch in the comments.