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Ruff Is Looking Forward To How The Sabres React To Playoff Excitement In Buffalo
TL;DR
The Buffalo Sabres prepare for their first playoff game in 14 years against the Boston Bruins, with excitement building among fans. Coach Lindy Ruff and captain Rasmus Dahlin express eagerness for the upcoming match.
Key points
- Buffalo Sabres held an optional morning skate at KeyBank Center
- Every seat was adorned with white towels saying 'Weāre Back'
- Sabres fans are excited after breaking a 14-season playoff drought
- Thousands of fans are expected to gather at Canalside
- Coach Lindy Ruff and captain Rasmus Dahlin express eagerness for the playoffs
Mentioned in this story
Lindy RuffRasmus DahlinBuffalo
Buffalo SabresBoston Bruins
The Buffalo Sabres held an optional morning skate at KeyBank Center, where every seat was adorned with white towels saying āWeāre Backā, in preparation for the opener of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins on Sunday night. Sabres fans level of excitement has been building since the club clinched a playoff spot to break the NHL record 14-season playoff drought, and is expected that thousands of fans will congregate at Canalside next to the arena to watch the game.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff admitted that he is anxious to get started, as Buffalo will be in the primetime slot on ESPN on Day 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as is team captain Rasmus Dahlin, who will be playing in the first playoff game in his eighth NHL season.
āI try to stay away from (the emotions). It's hard to think about all the years and stuff, today especially, but we're in the moment. I'll probably reflect on it more when the season is over." Dahlin said. "But now, I just I'm ready to go, all I'm thinking about is having the best game of my career."
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The Sabres have a trio of players (Bowen Byram, Luke Schenn, and Tanner Pearson) that have won Stanley Cups and a pair who have reached the Cup Final (Alex Lyon, Ryan McLeod), but only Byram and McLeod will have a large role when the series behind. The bulk of their core group will be playing in their first postseason contest, something that Ruff believes could be an advantage.
"Everybody has a routine, we haven't broken off our routine. So I mean today, being an optional(skate), normal meetings, we went through our our pre-scout meetings this morning, keeping everything as normal as we possibly can, knowing that it's not quite as normal as it used to be," Ruff said. "I'm hoping that we are amped up, because it will be electric. it'll be a totally different feeling for sure. I'm looking forward to how our guys are going to react to it. We've talked about the energy we need to bring, how we need to play, and I anticipate them being ready to do it."
Q&A
How long has it been since the Buffalo Sabres made the playoffs?
The Buffalo Sabres broke a 14-season playoff drought by clinching a playoff spot this year.
When do the Buffalo Sabres play their first playoff game?
The Buffalo Sabres will play their first playoff game against the Boston Bruins on Sunday night.
What are the Sabres fans doing to celebrate the playoff return?
Sabres fans are expected to gather at Canalside next to the arena to watch the game, with excitement reflected in the white towels saying 'Weāre Back' at the KeyBank Center.
