GDT: Sabres (Buffalo) @ Lightning (Tampa Bay), 7:30 p.m., February 3, 2026 (ESPN+/HULU XCLUSIVE, WGR-550)

[...]

I can't bring myself to nitpick this game, the coaching, or the players. BTB after a super physical game, down key players, brought it to OT. It's all good.

[SwampD]

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this Sabres team is really good. That was a great game.
They looked totally beat and still managed to get a point from the best team in the east.

[Mr Peabody]

Didn’t think we’d get 3 out of 4 but losing the lead with 25 seconds hurt.  I think we’re now 3-6 in OT?  Lindy might have to  work on line combos and please Jarmo get us a FO specialist!  Soon. 

[Pimlach]

11 minutes ago, muppy said:

3 points out of 4 in 2 nights. I'm not despondent but this one does hurt 

It does because we were just 25 seconds away from 2points.  There are 82 games.   They must move on and beat Pittsburgh at home before the Olympic break.   They got 1 tonight.  

Edited February 4 by Pimlach

[K012010]

Just now, HumanSlinky39 said:

I mean those teams are an afterthought if they aren't successful. Not like better hockey markets who have diehard fans that will follow regardless of the team's performance. Give Tampa or the Panthers 3 years out of the playoffs and nobody is paying them any mind. Just the way most FL pro franchises are from what I've seen.

I have to say this is kind of true from what I’ve seen down here, but we have to give them credit for what they’ve accomplished as frustrating as it is. But I definitely agree if they flat line again those fans are back on the golf course or whatever the ***** they’re doing Pickleball or something.

[Taro T]

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I said Atlantic team. Washington and Columbus are in the Metropolitan and are chasing the Islanders. They are less of a threat to us than Ottawa and Toronto.

Not really.  If the Sabres don't get more points than Moe-ray-all and De-troy-it the rest of the way, then they're back in the WC chase and all 16 (well, all 15, the Rags quit) are in that chase.

[thewookie1]

I'm disappointed they let Tampa get away with a stick hold on Dahlin when Kucherov made his pass but otherwise the game was adequately called.

[K012010]

Just now, Pimlach said:

It does because we were just 25 seconds away from 2points.  There are 82 games.   They must move on and beat Pittsburgh at home before the Olympic break.   They got 1.  

And based on the ESPN guys tonight, apparently Pittsburgh is the most interesting and fantastic franchise of all time with the greatest story in sports history so we will have our hands full

[LGR4GM]

Hope Krebs buys everyone dinner after that.

[Broken Ankles]

9 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

@PASabreFan, Bucci loves the chicken parm in Buffalo.  

And Weeksie loves his LaNova. 

[K012010]

Just now, thewookie1 said:

I'm disappointed they let Tampa get away with a stick hold on Dahlin when Kucherov made his pass but otherwise the game was adequately called.

I’m honestly used to it and I was ready for that and they definitely lean toward Tampa every time we play them, especially in Florida maybe after a few Stanley cups we’ll get that treatment

[OverPowerYou]

The Sabres great play this year is gaining some fans. My kids never really cared the last few years. I got home at 8:00 after the game started and my 9 year old and 7 year old had the game on already watching. 
 

Keep it up and it’ll be like 2010 again 

Edited February 4 by OverPowerYou

[Turbo44]

Well played game -  blatant hometown refs in ot there - I counted 3 or 4 obvious penalties in ot ignored by the jackasses. 

I thought we carried the play in OT. Not sure how we allowed the cherry picker there at the end? Kind of stupid game management with 15 seconds left to have that happen.

Came down to their goalie making a big save in ot vs Dahlin and Ellis not saving the breakaway. Ellis played very well but we win with Lyon. The 2nd TB goal was a bad rebound and it would have been nice for a save there in OT.

still 3 out of 4 points in a Fla trip is solid.

[Taro T]

1 minute ago, Mr Peabody said:

Didn’t think we’d get 3 out of 4 but losing the lead with 25 seconds hurt.  I think we’re now 3-6 in OT?  Lindy might have to  work on line combos and please Jarmo get us a FO specialist!  Soon. 

Yes, but 3-0 in the SO.  So they have 6 points out of 12 available when going beyond 60 minutes.

6 bonus points that is.

[thewookie1]

1 minute ago, Taro T said:

Not really.  If the Sabres don't get more points than Moe-ray-all and De-troy-it the rest of the way, then they're back in the WC chase and all 16 (well, all 15, the Rags quit) are in that chase.

Technically the reason for the comment you replied to is that 2nd and 3rd in the Metro are also behind the WC spots. So effectively they serve as some additional buffer

[HumanSlinky39]

1 minute ago, Indabuff said:

I remember many years ago visiting my parents and going to a Buffalo backer bar in FL and seeing half the arena empty during a TB playoff run game.   

I have a couple of friends from FL. Claim to be Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning fans. Probably can't name a player on the Bucs since Brady and Gronk left, definitely can't name a single Ray, and didn't start following hockey until the late 2010s...and they won't anymore if/when the Lightning fall off. I've experienced a lot of this with people from Florida.

I will say college-wise, Gator fans seem pretty loyal.

[Mango]

3 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

Well, rest up boys, then bring us the head of Sidney Crysbaby in 2 nights time…..

Remember…..2 nights time……

Not to put too much pressure on the next one. But I think it is important really important to beat Pitt before the break. 

1-2-1 would leave a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Maybe it is the 14 years, but the playoffs aren't gauranteed. We could quickly be in 9th looking up with 4-5 game skid. 

[K012010]

1 minute ago, HumanSlinky39 said:

I have a couple of friends from FL. Claim to be Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning fans. Probably can't name a player on the Bucs since Brady and Gronk left, definitely can't name a single Ray, and didn't start following hockey until the late 2010s...and they won't anymore if/when the Lightning fall off. I've experienced a lot of this with people from Florida.

I will say college-wise, Gator fans seem pretty loyal.

I’ve been in South Florida for 15 years now and they are great fans when things are going great. There are so many buffalo fans down here. It’s crazy we pack every sports bar and you’re always gonna find tons of buffalo fans. As many as the Florida fans.
 

There are just so many transplants down here that you’re gonna get a lot of different fan bases. There are absolutely hard-core day one Florida team fans, but it is a small group. They deserve respect, but yeah, the bandwagon vibes are heavy down here.

[Second Line Center]

7 minutes ago, OverPowerYou said:

We have a great team. This is the year to trade a draft pick and a prospect for a star player and make a run. Sometimes I have to pinch myself 

 

We are a going to be a good playoff team.  Who knows what happens once you get in.  
 

Put Kucherov on this team and we win the Cup. 

[Flashsabre]

It amazes me that for years the goaltending has helped tank this team and this year they have 3 goalies that have provided solid to tremendous goaltending for them almost every game

[quill]

One thing is for certain. The Buffalo Sabres have the attention of every team in the NHL. We are that good.

[K012010]

1 minute ago, Flashsabre said:

It amazes me that for years the goaltending has helped tank this team and this year they have 3 goalies that have provided solid to tremendous goaltending for them almost every game

With Levi also developing nicely down in Rochester at the proper pace

[_Q_]

15 minutes ago, elijah said:

Can anyone explain the story behind why everyone (Twitter) was calling Samuelsson Mike, Big Mike and Michael? I must have missed what’s happening there

I mean this seems like a Michelle Obama reference but what do I know???

[DarthEbriate]

6 minutes ago, HumanSlinky39 said:

I mean those teams are an afterthought if they aren't successful. Not like better hockey markets who have diehard fans that will follow regardless of the team's performance. Give Tampa or the Panthers 3 years out of the playoffs and nobody is paying them any mind. Just the way most FL pro franchises are from what I've seen.

25 years ago, yes -- but we must remember that it was a fledgling market where local kids didn't have ice and that the '90s expansion teams were setup to be garbage for 5 years until their drafts started to hit.

But since their first Cup the season tickets have been sold, just like in Buffalo.

The Sabres have been a laughingstock for a decade and the barn has been much emptier than the tickets sold would indicate these last few years.

https://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph.php?tmi=8385

[K012010]

1 minute ago, quill said:

One thing is for certain. The Buffalo Sabres have the attention of every team in the NHL. We are that good.

To hear Matthew Tkachuck say that on an individual basis, we are significantly more talented than the Panthers was genuinely crazy. I think maybe he was blowing a little smoke because they do have like seven guys or eight guys out but he was emphasizing talent specifically.

We have the attention of the league. And now the talent is finally starting to play as a unit.