The Buffalo Sabres announced their full 2026-27 regular-season schedule Thursday afternoon, unveiling an 84-game slate that begins October 1 on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets before the team’s home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 3 at KeyBank Center.
The home opener marks the start of a five-game homestand that also features the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Utah Mammoth and Florida Panthers. Buffalo will face each Atlantic Division opponent four times under the NHL’s expanded schedule, including playoff rematches against the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins.
The Sabres also host the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins during Thanksgiving week, while marquee home games include visits from Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche, and Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
🚨THE 2026-27 SCHEDULE IS HERE! 🚨
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 16, 2026
The full schedule → https://t.co/XJWgea94zW
Add it to your calendar → https://t.co/rI7Q2Z8WV2#LetsGoBuffalo | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/79wqhZTdzN
The NHL All-Star break is scheduled for February 4-12 before Buffalo closes the regular season on April 10.
The Sabres’ schedule includes 14 back-to-back sets after going 9-1-3 in the second game of those situations last season, along with 12 afternoon starts and eight games beginning at 9 p.m. ET or later.
Buffalo will also host the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes twice, on January 9 and February 18.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.