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

[Doohickie]

2 hours ago, Sidc3000 said:

benson isn’t serious and it will depend on how he feels “when he wakes up this morning”. 

Honey Badger don't give a f*&% about pain.  He'll play.

[Doohickie]

1 hour ago, Night Train said:

That's every game for this bunch. 

I despise back to back games but that's the $$ first NHL. 

What kills me is out of 6 February games, 4 of them are FLA/TBL away back-to-backs.  That's criminal.

If they manage to sweep them though I won't be as surly about it.

1 hour ago, Mustache of God said:

This is one pro of having one of the youngest teams in the league. The kids never stop. 

Expecting to see Ellis in net tonight, perhaps his biggest game of the season?

I'm predicting that any scoring the Sabres get tonight will be enough to win.  Take that as you will.

[bob_sauve28]

I think the “Blightning” is kind of funny 

[matter2003]

20 hours ago, TageMVP said:

You have a good point there, though. Why is it spelled the Canadian way, Buffalo is an American city 

Perhaps to match their theme song? 

 

Actually found out some info on exactly why: 

The decision was made by the original owners, Seymour Knox III and Northrup Knox, following a "name-the-team" contest in 1969. There are several key reasons for this specific spelling: 

• Honoring Canadian Fans: Because Buffalo is situated directly on the Canadian border, the team has always had a massive Canadian fanbase, particularly from Southern Ontario. The owners chose the Canadian spelling as a nod to these supporters.
• The Winning Entry: The name was suggested in a fan contest by Harry Cole, a filmmaker from Toronto. The owners liked the suggestion and maintained the submitter's original spelling.
• Unique Identity: The owners wanted a name that stood out from other Buffalo sports teams (like the NFL's Bills and the minor league Bisons). The "-re" ending provided a distinctive look compared to other New York NHL teams like the Rangers, which use the "-er" ending.
• Symbolism: Seymour Knox III felt the weapon represented a leader and was effective for both offense and defense, making it a fitting metaphor for a hockey team.

Due to this international connection, the Sabres remain the only American professional sports team to play both "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "O Canada" before every home game, regardless of whether the opponent is a Canadian team.

Edited February 4 by matter2003

[PASabreFan]

1 hour ago, Carmel Corn said:

In the spirit of former Sabres having big games against us, will Zemgus and Jonas Johansson have big games tonight???  Just kidding folks!

No Cirelli, Point and maybe Paul certainly helps our chances!

[PASabreFan]

I can't imagine my life as a fan of the Buffalo Sabers without O Canada before home games. I just can't.

[Taro T]

29 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

Perhaps to match their theme song? 

 

Actually found out some info on exactly why: 

The decision was made by the original owners, Seymour Knox III and Northrup Knox, following a "name-the-team" contest in 1969. There are several key reasons for this specific spelling: 

• Honoring Canadian Fans: Because Buffalo is situated directly on the Canadian border, the team has always had a massive Canadian fanbase, particularly from Southern Ontario. The owners chose the Canadian spelling as a nod to these supporters.
• The Winning Entry: The name was suggested in a fan contest by Harry Cole, a filmmaker from Toronto. The owners liked the suggestion and maintained the submitter's original spelling.
• Unique Identity: The owners wanted a name that stood out from other Buffalo sports teams (like the NFL's Bills and the minor league Bisons). The "-re" ending provided a distinctive look compared to other New York NHL teams like the Rangers and Islanders, which both use the "-er" ending.
• Symbolism: Seymour Knox III felt the weapon represented a leader and was effective for both offense and defense, making it a fitting metaphor for a hockey team.

Due to this international connection, the Sabres remain the only American professional sports team to play both "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "O Canada" before every home game, regardless of whether the opponent is a Canadian team.

Thanks for that.

1 minor quibble.  The Aisles name has nothing to do with why the Sabres became the Sabres and not the Sabers.  They were merely a gleam in Clarence Campbell's eye when the Sabres took on their identity.

[Taro T]

2 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

I can't imagine my life as a fan of the Buffalo Sabers without O Canada before home games. I just can't.

Still don't understand why Detroit doesn't do their southern neighbors in Windsor proud by playing their anthem before home games regardless of the opponent; guess they just don't want to encourage them to go sneaking across the river.    (Of course, proablly shouldn't have built a tunnel for them if it was that big of a deal.)  😉 

[RETURNTOGLORY]

3 hours ago, CallawaySabres said:

Any word on Benson?

Pathetic that there was NO penalty called on that play! I've seen less egregious calls.

[LGR4GM]

Dig deep and win. 

[PASabreFan]

16 minutes ago, RETURNTOGLORY said:

Pathetic that there was NO penalty called on that play! I've seen less egregious calls.

The ref appeared to be doing the 6-7 thing to explain the non call. Well, we all know Benson is 9-10.

[That Aud Smell]

49 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Still don't understand why Detroit doesn't do their southern neighbors in Windsor proud by playing their anthem before home games regardless of the opponent; guess they just don't want to encourage them to go sneaking across the river.    (Of course, proablly shouldn't have built a tunnel for them if it was that big of a deal.)  😉 

wait - they don't?!

is buffalo the only u.s. team that always has it performed?

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, Carmel Corn said:

In the spirit of former Sabres having big games against us, will Zemgus and Jonas Johansson have big games tonight???  Just kidding folks!

No Cirelli, Point and maybe Paul certainly helps our chances!

As does no UPL, Norris, Benson and possibly Greenway help theirs.  

2 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

wait - they don't?!

is buffalo the only u.s. team that always has it performed?

Yes.  From the first game in 1970.  The City of Good Neighbors. 

Edited February 3 by Pimlach

[bob_sauve28]

4 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Yes.  From the first game in 1970.  The City of Good Neighbors. 

Wow, never knew that 

[Pimlach]

37 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

The ref appeared to be doing the 6-7 thing to explain the non call. Well, we all know Benson is 9-10.

[steveoath]

2 hours ago, PASabreFan said:

I will defer to the juju experts, but you can't change the name post defacto victorium.

to be fair, that's how the panthers refer to themselves on social media

[K012010]

Sabres: 7

Atmospheric Plasma Discharges: 6

Tage with the hat trick

[Spoonman]

3 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Tamp Blighting is now a heavy team.   This will be another big test on B2B and 3 game in 4 nights. 

I doubt we see Benson which is big.  Krebs will probably move up to "top line". 

Ellis needs to be good tonight.  He needs to cover the puck better than his last few games.  

If Ellis is solid we have a chance.   Looking for some others to step up, maybe get a 4th line goal?  Maybe Kesselring gets his first?  

Rosen had 3:08 TOI last night.  Will Helenius be back in the lineup with a rocket up his azz?   Will Greenway play? 

Calling @Brawndo 

@Pimlach

I am no @Brawndo…..but on Greenway: He stayed back from trip for Dr appt on his ongoing pain issues from offseason surgery (abdominal). 

Hell on uusse - maybe (Lindy said he is a 19yr old learning to play in the league). Was pulled for rest of game after bad coverage on MTL GW goal along w Kesserling.

[Trettioåtta]

I am expecting a loss; not in a pessimistic way, just that the Lightning are a very good team, and last nights win was a battle. However, a surprise win here would be huge.

[RETURNTOGLORY]

TB has exceptional goaltending so it is IMPERATIVE that we get more shots on goal tonight. 

This has been, IMHO a problem with our team. I know we are up there in goals scored. We're #4 in our Conference BUT goals are directly proportional to the amount of shots you take! I cringe every time I see our guys pass up the opportunity for a clear shot only to look for the "perfect" pass for a "better" shot!

Watch tonight's game and count the times.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,”
                          
    Some hack named Wayne Gretzky. 
 

[bob_sauve28]

9 minutes ago, RETURNTOGLORY said:

TB has exceptional goaltending so it is IMPERATIVE that we get more shots on goal tonight. 

This has been, IMHO a problem with our team. I know we are up there in goals scored. We're #4 in our Conference BUT goals are directly proportional to the amount of shots you take! I cringe every time I see our guys pass up the opportunity for a clear shot only to look for the "perfect" pass for a "better" shot!

Watch tonight's game and count the times.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,”
                          
    Some hack named Wayne Gretzky. 
 

Rob Ray would agree with you. 

I find the whole "just shoot it from anywhere as soon as you get the puck" argument to be, well, wrong. 

Pass the puck, pass it often, look for the great play and score. Passing creates scoring opportunities 

[French Collection]

17 minutes ago, RETURNTOGLORY said:

TB has exceptional goaltending so it is IMPERATIVE that we get more shots on goal tonight. 

This has been, IMHO a problem with our team. I know we are up there in goals scored. We're #4 in our Conference BUT goals are directly proportional to the amount of shots you take! I cringe every time I see our guys pass up the opportunity for a clear shot only to look for the "perfect" pass for a "better" shot!

Watch tonight's game and count the times.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,”
                          
    Some hack named Wayne Gretzky. 
 

Visions of the USSR teams looking for the tap in, while Team Canada fired the puck from everywhere.

[JustOneParade]

57 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

I have no earthly idea what that GIF means. But maybe its because there's only one thing I see (OK, two things) when I look at it.

[DarthEbriate]

59 minutes ago, steveoath said:

to be fair, that's how the panthers refer to themselves on social media

Yeah, the Flapan' Thers. Good band.

[R_Dudley]

I wonder if they try to make all the hockey teams play the same number of BTB games because if they don't it doesn't seem fair to the teams that have the most. 

Regardless, this Sabre's team has been defying their previous playing efforts and follies and I love it and them again. 

Lets go Buffalo, show me the same efforts and tenacity you have been displaying and keep the love alive.