Buffalo Sabres 2016-17: Five Must-See Home Games

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Mar 16, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane (9) takes a shot as Montreal Canadiens center Paul Byron (41) defends during the overtime period at First Niagara Center. The Canadiens beat the Sabres 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

October 13, 2016: Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres

Yes, it’s a bit of a no-brainer to pick the home-opener, so sorry that we went over such low-ranking fruit.

Still, there are a lot of good reasons to make sure you are in attendance when the Sabres host the Canadiens. First of all, it’s not just Buffalo’s home-opener; it is also their first game of the season. And just in case you forgot, it will be the first regular season game that Okposo plays in a Sabres sweater, a monumental occasion to be sure. Throw in the debut of Dmitry Kulikov and possibly Alexander Nylander, the return of Tyler Ennis, and the excitement that follows Eichel and Reinhart, and the First Niagara Center is sure to be rocking on October 13.

There is another reason that I am hoping to be in attendance on opening night however, and it may just be me – but I want to see how Evander Kane, Buffalo’s personal public relations nightmare, responds to the legal trouble and negative fan and media attention that he has received as a result of his June 24th hijinks. Love him or hate him, the Buffalo Sabres’ chances of making the playoffs will be influenced by the type of season Kane has as long as he is on the Sabres roster, so I will be watching number 9 on opening night to see if he comes out with the mindset of putting his troubles behind him and having a career year.

Next: The Beginnings of a Beautiful Rivalry?

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