Do you think long-suffering Buffalo Sabres fans are excited about the NHL team's success?
If there was any doubt — there certainly wasn't in Western New York — it's been eliminated. The Sabres have been selling out every home game and the television ratings are soaring to remarkable heights. The dormant fanbase is once again active and ready to erupt.
Perhaps the best example arrived Wednesday with a Twitter post by the Crossing Swords podcast, which showcased the early ticket prices for possible first-round playoff home games (click on the photo below to see the entire picture):
Safe to say, fans are excited. #Warpath pic.twitter.com/LVD9SZQH4q
— Crossing Swords ⚔️ (@CrossSwordsPod) March 18, 2026
Around a $13,000 get-in price with zero knowledge of the opponent, date or start time. Heck, the Sabres haven't even clinched a postseason berth to officially end the franchise's 14-year playoff drought yet.
It doesn't matter. People around Buffalo are all-in with an eye on a potentially deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and that picture shows the fans wanna be there to experience the atmosphere. (Yes, those prices will eventually come down.)
Another guarantee? Those who don't secure tickets inside the KeyBank Center will happily Party in the Plaza outside the arena, just like they did two decades ago when the Sabres made their last serious push toward a championship led by Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, Ryan Miller and Co.
Buffalo Sabres must maintain their game-to-game focus as the outside hype reaches a fever pitch
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has taken every opportunity in recent weeks to remind his players about the dangers of looking too far ahead or becoming too confident based on their current hot streak.
"I think sometimes when you play five games in a row at home, and you've had success and a couple huge emotional games, and everybody's trying to tell you how good you are, it's time to go on the road for a couple," Ruff told reporters before the club's current four-game road trip.
The franchise legend understands the pitfalls on the horizon. He spent 10 years in Buffalo as a player and he's in his second stint as the organization's bench boss. In all, counting his time in other organizations, he's taken part in 2,799 NHL games as a player or head coach.
It'd be easy for the Sabres, who've finally enjoyed a period of sustained winning after years of frustration, to start dreaming about the playoffs. Maybe even a surge toward Cup contention.
That's dangerous. The Eastern Conference is incredibly deep this season. The Blue and Gold are tied with the Carolina Hurricanes atop the East standings, but they're also just nine points above the postseason cut line with 14 games to go in the regular season.
One ill-timed losing streak and things could get far too close for comfort.
Buffalo has to lock in. Do everything possible to capture the Atlantic Division title amid a challenge from the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens, and potentially even overcome the Canes to earn home-ice advantage for the duration of the conference playoffs.
Every extra game at the KeyBank Center in the postseason increases the team's chances of making a run. Not only are the Sabres 22-9-3 on home ice this season, which is the fifth-best mark in the NHL, but the atmosphere is only going to get more electric from here.
Buffalo sports fans are desperate for a championship parade. No disrespect to the three-time defending National Lacrosse League champion Buffalo Bandits, but a Big Four title is a different level of euphoria, especially for a city that's never experienced it.
The Sabres have a chance. Sure, they aren't the favorite but they're in the conversation, and that's all it takes for the United States' best hockey fanbase to start dreaming big.