Dylan Cozens (center) and the Sabres had two games against the Canadiens rescheduled.

NHL announces new dates for seven Sabres games

The NHL on Wednesday announced five Buffalo Sabres games postponed because of COVID-19 problems have been rescheduled and two other dates on the 2021-22 schedule have been moved so the team can complete its 82-game schedule by April 29.

The updated schedule:

– The home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets originally scheduled for Dec. 20 will now be played at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10.

... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol Sunday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres in NHL’s COVID-19 protocol likely unavailable Wednesday

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato and the five players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol will likely be unavailable for Wednesday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils, assistant coach Matt Ellis said.

“I believe our list is our list and we will not have anyone available from that tomorrow,” Ellis, who’s subbing for Granato, said following this morning’s practice inside KeyBank Center.

In addition to Granato, forwards Dylan Cozens, Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza, Mark ... Read the full article

Don Granato is in his first season as Buffalo’s permanent coach. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres facing COVID-19 issues as Don Granato, players enter NHL protocol

On Sunday, following a six-day pause, the Buffalo Sabres planned to reconvene and practice. Still, given how COVID-19 has been decimating NHL teams, it felt like their return to the ice could be delayed.

Sure enough, barely two hours before their scheduled 3 p.m. session, the Sabres canceled it. About 90 minutes later, they announced coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski have entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol.

Right now, all three ... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons entered COVID-19 protocol last week. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres cancel practice coming out of Christmas/COVID-19 break

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon canceled a practice scheduled for 3 p.m.

Following a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break, NHL teams can reconvene today for testing, practice and travel.

Right now, the Sabres have three players – wingers Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner – in the league’s COVID-19 protocol.

The Sabres possibly want to wait for test results before resuming practice.

Their next scheduled game is Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils at KeyBank ... Read the full article

Anthony Beauvillier and the New York Islanders won’t be visiting Buffalo on Monday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Monday’s Sabres home game against Islanders postponed

Monday’s Buffalo Sabres game against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center has been postponed.

The NHL tonight pushed back its resumption of play one day so it could analyze testing data and determine teams’ readiness to compete coming out a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break. The league wants to resume games Tuesday.

The Sabres’ next scheduled contest is Wednesday at home against the New Jersey Devils.

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Buffalo’s Tim Connolly (left) and Pittsburgh Tim Connolly participated in the first Winter Classic in 2008. ©2021, Janet Schultz

Sabres to play Maple Leafs in Heritage Classic outdoor game in March

The Buffalo Sabres are heading outdoors this season.

The NHL today announced they’ll be playing in a Heritage Classic game March 13, 2022 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ont. Word of the Sabres’ participation in the outdoor contest spread late last month.

Despite playing 63 miles from KeyBank Center, the Sabres will be considered the “home” team for the 3 p.m. game, which will be broadcast nationally on TNT. ... Read the full article

Buffalo opens its 2021-22 schedule Oct. 14. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

2021-22 Sabres schedule features early home stand, games against Kraken

A season-opening four-game home stand, two contests against the expansion Seattle Kraken and four meetings with the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the highlights of the 82-game 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres schedule the NHL released Thursday.

The Sabres open the campaign Oct. 14 against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center and also host the Arizona Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins before playing their first road game Oct. 23 versus the New Jersey Devils.

The Sabres ... Read the full article

The Sabres will play six preseason games this year. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres release 2021 preseason schedule

The Sabres will play six preseason games, including three contests at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, prior to the 2021-22 NHL regular season, the team announced this afternoon.

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented NHL teams from playing any exhibition games prior to last season’s truncated 56-game schedule.

The Sabres will play every preseason game in an NHL arena for the first time since 2015.

The schedule:... Read the full article

Eric Staal battles New Jersey’s Pavel Zacha on Sunday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

NHL reschedules 12 Sabres games; Thursday’s contest still on

Thursday’s home game against the Washington Capitals wasn’t among 12 changes the NHL announced to the Buffalo Sabres’ schedule this morning.

On Tuesday, the NHL postponed four Sabres games through Monday. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger tested positive for COVID-19 this week and five players have been added to the league’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list.

The Sabres’ training facilities are closed until further notice.

Here are the rescheduled games and dates:... Read the full article

Henri Jokiharju and Sidney Crosby could become familiar this season during the eight meeting between Buffalo and Pittsburgh. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ 2020-21 schedule features 25 two-game series in same city

When the Buffalo Sabres open their 2020-21 schedule on Jan. 14 at home against the Washington Capitals, it will start a trend for the abbreviated 56-game season.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the NHL to limit travel, meaning teams will be staying in cities for multiple days and playing series against one opponent.

The Sabres’ opener kicks off a two-game set at KeyBank Center. They also host Washington the next night.

Their schedule, which the ... Read the full article