BUFFALO – Two early-season visits from the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are among the highlights of the Sabres’ 2024-25 schedule the NHL released Tuesday.
After beginning the season against the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia, on Oct. 4 and 5, the Sabres open their schedule at KeyBank Center versus the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 10. The Panthers, the Sabres’ Atlantic Division rival, visit Oct. 12.
The Sabres host the Panthers again Oct. 28 during a four-game home stand. The teams meet in Florida on March 8 and April 12.
Buffalo plays five of its division opponents – the Panthers, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators – four times each and the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs three times each.
The Sabres make their only visit to Toronto on Dec. 15 in a rare 5 p.m. start at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto visits Dec. 20 and April. 15
All three of the Sabres’ meetings with the Lightning are in April.
Some other notable dates, stretches and nuggets from the Sabres’ slate:
– They have a 13-day break for the 4 Nations Cup from Feb. 9 to 21.
– They have a season-long five-game home stand from Dec. 3. to 11. They have four four-game road trips.
– Superstar Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers make their only trip to Buffalo on March 10. The Oilers signed former Sabres winger Jeff Skinner, who on Sunday was bought out by Buffalo, on Monday.
– Young star Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks make their only trip to Buffalo on Dec. 27. Bedard was injured as a rookie last season when Chicago visited.
– Superstar Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins visit Buffalo on Jan. 27 and March 10.
– Utah Hockey Club, formerly the Arizona Coyotes, visits Buffalo on Dec. 7. The Sabres play March 20 in Utah, which is set it begin its first season in Salt Lake City.
The complete schedule can be viewed here.
