An early five-game home stand, two road contests against the Montreal Canadiens in a five-day span in October and a rigorous stretch in which they play 10 of 12 games on the road in late November and early December are among the highlights of the Buffalo Sabres’ 2026-27 schedule the NHL released Thursday.
The 84-game schedule – the NHL has added two regular-season contests and cut the preseason from six games to four – means the Sabres play each of their seven Atlantic Division opponents four times.
The Sabres start the season Oct. 1 on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets before beginning a five-game home stand Oct. 3 versus the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center.
After a Columbus Day matinee Oct. 12 against the Florida Panthers, the Sabres begin a three-game road trip the next night in Montreal. They get their first glimpse of Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick, Oct. 15 in Toronto. They close the trip Oct. 17 in Montreal.
The Sabres begin a season-long six-game road trip Nov. 12 in Chicago and four-game western swing Dec. 1 versus the Edmonton Oilers.
On Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving, they host the New York Rangers, and on Nov. 27, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins visit Buffalo for a rare 8 p.m. start.
From Oct. 13 to Dec. 6, the Sabres play 17 of 24 games on the road.
Some other notable dates, stretches and nuggets from the schedule:
– The Sabres face old friend Alex Tuch, who last month was dealt to the Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal, for the first time Oct. 24 in Washington.
Tuch and superstar Alex Ovechkin, who could be playing his last season, play Dec. 18 in Buffalo.
– On Dec. 17, the Canadiens make their first visit to Buffalo since their overtime win in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinal.
– On Dec. 26, the Sabres host the New Jersey Devils. The NHL allows games to be played the day after Christmas if Dec. 26 falls on a Saturday.
– The Sabres are off from Feb. 4 to 12 for the NHL All-Star break and their bye week.
– The Sabres close the season with a three-game home stand against division opponents – the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings – from April 5 to 10.