Sabres Kick off the NHL Season Friday

The calendar flips to October on Tuesday and brings with it the brand new season for the NHL and our Rasmus Dahlin-led Buffalo Sabres. 

After an abbreviated training camp in Buffalo, the team split in two, with the NHL-level players and some guests from the Rochester Americans (who might find their way onto the big club’s lineup) traveling overseas to Munich and Prague, first to play JJ Peterka’s former club, Red Bull Munich, before starting the season Friday against the New Jersey Devils. Both parts of the equation have been doing really well so far, with the only loss coming Saturday night as the team playing in the United States fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 after leading for most of the game.

But the real excitement starts this Friday with the first game of the season that will count. And since it’s taking place over on the European continent, it’s an early afternoon game, with puck drop scheduled for 1 p.m. EST from the O2 Arena in Prague. 

Thankfully, there are several places opening early and hosting watch parties for local fans who want to cheer on the team to a strong start for the new season. 

Tellers Lobby Bar at Seneca One Tower will have an Oktoberfest-themed party on Friday, starting at 11 a.m. Whether anyone will be showing up in Lederhosen like the team did last Friday afternoon before their 5-0 win remains to be seen.

For the second game of the season, also against the Devils and starting even earlier, at 10 a.m. Saturday, KeyBank Center will open its doors at 9 a.m. This event features a brunch buffet, appearances from Sabres alumni, and activities for partygoers, who will be among the first to watch a game on the brand new video board hanging above center ice. 

Tickets to the parties are free, but there is a fee for the brunch buffet at KeyBank Center Saturday morning. More information on both officially sanctioned parties can be found here. 

Other places around Buffalo are bound to want to get in on the fun, including Thirsty Buffalo, 555 Elmwood Avenue, where the restaurant will open before the 1 p.m. start time, as will Southern Tier Brewing Company’s downtown location right next to the arena and Brian Brothers Brewing at 50 Elk Street. 

If you can’t make it to a party, that’s ok; the games will be aired on MSG as usual.