Buffalo Sabres: 5 most intriguing nationally-televised games for 2023
The Buffalo Sabres have 15 games for the fan base to look forward to in 2023-24. Which ones are the most highly anticipated matchups?
The Buffalo Sabres find themselves on national television 15 times for 2023-24, and there are a lot of highly-anticipated matchups fans can look forward to. But which games should be the most anticipated ones on the schedule?
Below, I’ve picked my five favorites that you will want to mark on the calendar in red. Three of the games you’ll find are intra-divisional matchups, and two are against a pair of foes in the Western Conference.
So which matchups should you be excited for the most? Keep reading.
5 most highly anticipated nationally-televised matchups for the Buffalo Sabres
1 – October 17th vs. Tampa Bay
The Blue and Gold open their national TV schedule on October 17th vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning. Last season, the Sabres got the best of Tampa twice, and this year, one team’s arrow is pointing north while the other may experience some turbulence. But as I’ve said before: That doesn’t mean the Lightning will be any less formidable.
In 2022-23, the Sabres, who struggled as a physical team last season were involved in several hard-hitting contests with Tampa. That trend will continue on the 17th, and remain so throughout the season, so expect some heated matchups.
2 – December 5th vs. Detroit
The Adamsplan clashes with the Yzerplan once again on December 5th. Last year, the Sabres beat their Atlantic Division adversary handedly in both occasions at KeyBank Center, and you know Steve Yzerman’s Detroit Red Wings want to get the best of Adams’ Sabres and prove his plan is every bit as effective.
Of course, the Sabres are looking to disprove Yzerman’s theory for the second straight season. Expect an intense one on December 5th, and hopefully, the Sabres keep taking it to Detroit.
3 – January 17th vs. Chicago
The Chicago Blackhawks may not be a great team this season, but this will be the first time we see Connor Bedard at KeyBank Center barring injury. It also makes for a potential matchup against none other than Devon Levi, who is looking to prove to the NHL world he can handle a full NHL schedule as the 1A.
Bedard is one of the future faces of the NHL, assuming he doesn’t suffer a major meltdown, and Levi has the potential to join him. The Buffalo Sabres may be at least a rung higher than Chicago, but don’t let that take away from the sheer anticipation of a potential Levi vs. Bedard matchup.
4 – March 2nd vs. Vegas
It’s hard to say it, but Jack Eichel and Company will be entering KeyBank Center for the first time since the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup. This should also be a revenge affair for the Sabres, thanks to the way Eichel went off the last time he visited KeyBank Center.
But this is also a Sabres team that is one year more experienced with accompanying playoff aspirations – not to mention the fact that they’re 1,000% better off without Eichel. Don’t expect them to lose in a blowout to Vegas this season, but you can also expect Eichel and his Golden Knights to bring their best game.
5 – March 30th vs. Toronto
We will see if the Buffalo Sabres new policies prevent Toronto Maple Leafs fans from invading the place for a matchup that could easily have playoff implications. And chances are, the Sabres and Maple Leafs will have already played in a few heated matchups by this point.
Although there isn’t as much stability north of the border, the Maple Leafs will remain a tough team for as long as Auston Matthews is in a blue and white uniform. And as far as 2023-24 goes, look for Matthews and the Leafs to compete for a top playoff spot along with the Florida Panthers, potentially the Lightning, and perhaps even our Sabres.
Dear Buffalo Sabres Fans: Have more confidence in your team. light. Related Story
Overall, there are plenty of nationally-televised matchups to look forward to this season. But these five stand out more than any other. Expect a couple of instant classics from the above contests – especially those Vegas and Toronto Games.
Source: Sabres to appear 15 times on national broadcasts in 2023-24 by Jourdon LaBarber, Sabres.com