Buffalo Sabres Top Five Home Games Of 2015-16 NHL Season

By Melissa Kania |

The Buffalo Sabres kick off the 2015-16 NHL season on Thursday, October 8, when they host the Ottawa Senators in a 7 p.m. faceoff at First Niagara Center. After that, the team will play 81 additional games, with the regular season culminating on April 9 at the Barclays Center against the New York Islanders.

For Buffalo Sabres fans, there’s a lot to look forward to this upcoming season. Here’s just a few games of that 82-game schedule that may be especially interesting or noteworthy for Buffalo Sabres fans, for one reason or another, particularly focusing on five home games of special interest for the upcoming year.

Thursday, October 8: Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.

This game marks the opening of the 2015-16 NHL season for the Buffalo Sabres, but it also marks a lot of other noteworthy things. It’s likely to be Jack Eichel’s first NHL game, and subsequently his first time appearing in a Buffalo Sabres jersey on-ice in a game that actually means something. First and foremost, it’s everyone’s chance to get a glance of Eichel’s first real taste of the NHL.

Of course, Eichel won’t be the only one making his Buffalo Sabres regular-season debut that Thursday evening. Also look at Evander Kane, who should be ready to hit the ice and return after shoulder surgery. Kane’s debut in Buffalo that evening is definitely something to look forward to.

Others who will likely make their Buffalo Sabres debut that night: David Legwand, Jamie McGinn, Chad Johnson or Robin Lehner, and Ryan O’Reilly. And you can’t forget new bench boss, head coach Dan Bylsma.

With that many newcomers in the lineup – and some of whom are decently big-name guys – it’ll definitely be an interesting night.

Wednesday, October 21: Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.

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Leafs games in Buffalo are always interesting, aren’t they?

But this one will be especially of note, because it marks Mike Babcock’s debut in Buffalo.

After the debacle wherein Babcock nearly – could have – become head coach of the Buffalo Sabres but chose Toronto instead… I highly doubt he’ll get a warm welcome when he hits the bench at First Niagara Center, making this an even more interesting game than usual.

Of course, this will also be the first Leafs game against the Buffalo Sabres without Phil Kessel this season.

Saturday, December 19: Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres, 1 p.m.

The defending Stanley Cup champions come to Buffalo on this fateful Saturday afternoon, and it certainly falls into the category of can’t-miss games.

Aside from Patrick Kane‘s fateful return to his hometown, you also get to see top-notch guys like Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Corey Crawford. Oh – and potentially former Buffalo Sabres forward Corey Tropp, if he makes the team and doesn’t head to the AHL.

Either way, Buffalo Sabres home games against the Chicago Blackhawks are always interesting, and this will be another interesting one.

Sunday, February 21: Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres, 12:30 p.m.

This game will mark Kessel’s first game against the Buffalo Sabres *not* in a Leafs jersey since January 3, 2009, and the first time he appears on FNC ice in a non-Leafs jersey since November 2008.

Also take into consideration the NHL’s new 3-on-3 overtime format, and just think about an overtime period against a line of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kessel. That’s definitely not a line I’d want to play against, especially with the game on the line.

With this game currently scheduled for 12:30 p.m., look for it to potentially be broadcast nationwide on NBC.

Tuesday, March 1: Edmonton Oilers at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.

I doubt an Oilers/Sabres game will ever see so much coverage as the ones this upcoming season. It’ll be the Connor McDavid/Jack Eichel faceoff, beginning in December in Edmonton and continuing that March evening in Buffalo.

You can almost guarantee the media coverage will be insane as the top-two NHL draft picks likely go head-to-head at the NHL level. That game in Buffalo will probably be the best-sold Oilers game at FNC in recent years, and it’s definitely one not to miss.

What Buffalo Sabres home games are you most looking forward to this year?

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