The 2026 Winter Olympics wrapped up with a heart-stopping showdown as Team USA edged out Canada in an overtime thriller, clinching a 2-1 victory. Jack Hughes emerged as the hero, netting the golden goal that secured the USA's first gold medal in men’s hockey since the storied 1980 Miracle on Ice. Among the champions was Buffalo Sabres’ Tage Thompson, now proudly wearing an Olympic gold medal.
With the Olympics behind us, the NHL is gearing up to hit the ice again, and the Buffalo Sabres are ready to dive back into action. Here’s a look at what’s happening with the Sabres as they prepare for the week of Feb. 23 - March 1.
Sabres Back to Practice
NHL teams have resumed practicing, signaling the end of the Olympic break. Games are set to kick off again on Wednesday, Feb.
- The Sabres are back in training, with several players making strides towards returning from injury.
Injury Updates: Key Players on the Mend
There’s promising news on the injury front. Josh Norris, sidelined since Jan. 14 with an upper-body injury, returned to skating with the team on Jan.
- All signs point to him being ready to jump back into action when the Sabres hit the ice on Feb.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who missed the Olympics due to a lower-body injury sustained on Jan. 27, is back in full practice mode. He’s expected to be game-ready for the Sabres’ upcoming matchups.
Zach Benson, who exited early from the Feb. 2 game against the Florida Panthers with an upper-body injury, is showing good progress. However, he’s been in and out of practices with an undisclosed issue, according to head coach Lindy Ruff.
Upcoming Schedule
Here’s a look at the Sabres’ schedule for the upcoming week:
- Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 - @ New Jersey Devils - 7:00 pm ET
- Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 - @ Florida Panthers - 7:00 pm ET
The Sabres are poised to make a strong return, and fans will be eager to see how they perform as the NHL season resumes.