Buffalo, N.Y. - The Sabres are Back on the Ice, Eager to End Playoff Drought
With their stars Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin showcasing their skills at the Olympics in Italy, the rest of the Buffalo Sabres returned to the ice in Buffalo on Wednesday. This practice at Harborcenter was the team’s first since the Olympic break began, marking 13 days since their last game action on February 5.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff expressed enthusiasm about the return. "Good to get back and get going," he shared. The team had gathered the previous day for a meeting and some skating, setting the stage for a few days of intense preparation.
Ruff has been keeping an eye on the Olympic performances of Dahlin and Thompson, noting, "they both represented our team great." But with the Olympics ongoing, the focus shifted back to the team in Buffalo, as they worked on conditioning and competitiveness. "Today was more about conditioning and compete," Ruff explained, acknowledging that the practice ran longer than planned.
The Sabres entered the break holding the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, fueling hopes of ending a 14-year playoff drought. With 25 games left, the team knows the stakes are high, and the hunger to succeed is palpable.
Forward Josh Norris captured the team's mindset: "Realizing there are only 25 games left, we’re putting all our eggs in one basket. We want to go out on a high note, control what we can, and see what happens."
Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson echoed the excitement. "The break was nice for everyone to rest body and mind, but it was longer than usual, and by the end, everyone was eager to get back," he said. "Given how our season's been going and our position in the standings, everyone’s excited to keep playing and finish the push."
With the Sabres gearing up for a crucial stretch, fans can feel the anticipation building as the team eyes a return to the postseason.