Buffalo Sabres Top Games On Schedule

The Buffalo Sabres are about to begin a season that is likely to give us headaches and heart attacks, there are still a handful of games that are worth giving a look at and be excited about seeing, my top favorites include:

Side note: Looking away from the inevitable home opener, I tried to look for games that have a deeper storyline other than kicking off the season! But that is still on the top of my list.

Friday October 17, 2014 Buffalo Sabres vs Florida Panthers

The reason is simple, this will be the Sabres first shot at the first overall pick in Aaron Ekblad, all signs point that we may see the highest rated forward in Sam Reinhart take on the highest rated defenseman from this years draft. Granted it is a mystery who Buffalo would have taken should the draft have read the opposite for the first and second picks, it will be a smoke show to see what the result is. This is a huge reason why I think of this game higher than what it probably should be.

That is, if Reinhart makes the roster.

Tuesday October 28, 2014 Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs

If the 6-4 and 3-2 (SO)  preseason losses meant anything to the regular season (excluding last preseason’s high hopes crushed by reality last season) then we are in for a hell of a four games with our neighbors (rivals) from the north. We had our successes, and our failures, but that is what we use the preseason for. It gave us a look with how we need to approach these games. We also got a few looks at potential line-mates for the season, and the potential chippy-ness that usually accompanies these games.

Quick notes: Mikhail Grigorenko looks like a completely different player (unsure on the ups and downs just yet), it looks like Chris Stewart and Cody Hodgson are a decent duo to pair with and that early game save by Andrey Makarov in Sunday’s shootout loss, Holy Makarov, Buffalo!

Saturday December 20, 2014 Buffalo Sabres vs Colorado Avalanche

Just because I’m a tad bit biased when it comes to these two teams (I’m an Av’s fan too, they’re my team from the West), I have always dreamed of a Stanley Cup Final between these too, and these games are a taste of what might be in the not-too-far-off future. Both teams are young, and I think Colorado still has the upper hand. Colorado is looking for newer leadership, with the depart of Paul Stastny but will focus hard on the newer crop, along with numerous veterans. I can see these two teams in a best-of-seven series somewhere in the future, and this is a small portion of what could be a great future between the two. Plus not to mention we rid the locker room of the cursed Joe Sacco, who’s track record runs negative with both teams.

Tuesday February 10, 2015 Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators

I may be the only one, or everyone, but anytime you mention the rivalry between us and Ottawa, you can’t help but remember the massive brawl that occurred between the two teams after the cheap shot to Chris Drury. If you need a reminder of the events of that night, click here. This would be the home opener of the series, and it’s always exciting games between the two. I don’t feel like I need much more explanation for how these games usually go. They are just as chippy as a Maple Leafs games, and it provides sheer entertainment, plus it’s usually anyone’s game, and sometimes they are closer than one would expect.

Friday April 3, 2015 Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks

Again, it’s the second time this season we face a team, but it’s when Patrick Kane comes home. The return of Kane is always a welcoming thing. It’s a chance for Buffalo to shine either way. It’s always a great game no matter what, and besides, you can’t hate the Chicago Blackhawks because they were what we are now. The suffered numerous non-playoff seasons, earned a great crop of talent through every means and look where they are now. That’s what Buffalo has to look forward to, but tanking may not have to be part of the equation.

Plus, IF (big emphasis on “if”) the Sabres are making any sort of run, despite a lot of people believing the tank theory (I don’t), then these stretch of April games may or will be crucial to earning a berth.