Buffalo Sabres: 4 reasons to watch the Halloween Homestand

The Buffalo Sabres will be spending Halloween in the Queen City this year. Here are four reasons to tune in for all four games. 

Halloween Havoc was once a well-known pay-per-view in good old World Championship Wrestling. So I thought I’d have some fun, and replace Havoc with Homestand, but that doesn’t mean the Buffalo Sabres won’t wreak some havoc for this next slate of games.

And if you need a few reasons to watch, I got four of them listed below, one for each game. Without further ado, let’s get to it.

1 – Buffalo Sabres vs. Canadiens: A rivalry renewed?

I listed the Buffalo Sabres and Canadiens as one of the more heated rivalries in Sabres franchise history a few months back. Since then, the rivalry has kind of gone stale. But now, we got two young teams who have either built or are building solid foundations.

This means the Sabres and Canadiens, assuming their respective building efforts are successful, could easily wind up as the Class of the Atlantic Division a few years down the road. Since they are two teams in similar positions, that rivalry might renew itself sooner than later, perhaps tonight?

2 – Another wild finish vs. Chicago?

In March and April 2022, the Buffalo Sabres won 16 games. Two of those wins came against the Chicago Blackhawks in dramatic fashion. One occurred with the Sabres clawing their way back from a 4-0 deficit before winning 6-5 on what might have been the wildest game-winning goal in franchise history.

Then Casey Mittelstadt of all players gave play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret a proper send-off in the latter’s final game in overtime! So, what will Round 3 look like this week? There is only one way to witness the possible greatness: Tune into the game!

3 – Yzerman Plan vs. Adams Plan

Speaking of rivalries, there may very well be a new one here in the Atlantic Division between two polar opposite ways to rebuild respective franchises. On one end, Steve Yzerman, who threw a bunch of guys together as though he were in EA NHL Franchise Mode in hopes they would mesh. So far, the results have been mixed for the Red Wings, but it’s still early.

On the other end sits our own Kevyn Adams, who is taking the long view, the right view, as I’ve said so many times. Build through the draft, fill up that prospects pool, supplement with free agency and trades, and build a consistent winner. Round 1 of what should be several showdowns will occur on Halloween Night.

4 – Major measuring stick contest

Growing up 35 minutes west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I’ve had my fair share of the Penguins and let me tell you this: They are the class of the NHL and will remain so until Sid, Geno, and Kris Letang hang up the skates. I’ve been to games and have witnessed one of the greatest atmospheres in the NHL.

So the Sabres have a huge opportunity on November 2nd in their finale for the first full homestand of the year to knock off one of the NHL’s most stable and most talented franchises. The game will make for a huge measuring stick outing, and if the Sabres play the Pens well, or preferably if they win, it will further show the NHL that this is one of the league’s fastest evolving teams.

Expect an electric atmosphere for this one. Tune in and see if the Sabres can once again upset one of the league’s best and brightest teams.