Buffalo Sabres Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines — Regular Season Underway, Power Play Struggles & More - The Hockey Writers - Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Regular Season Is Underway
Sabres’ Power Play Struggles Through Two Games
Sabres Injury Updates
Upcoming Schedule

Here is the latest news and updates on the Buffalo Sabres and their schedule for the week of Oct. 5 – Oct. 11.

Sabres Regular Season Is Underway

The Sabres kicked off the 2026-27 regular season on Thursday night in Columbus, taking on the Blue Jackets. Unfortunately, Buffalo lost 6-3, while newly acquired Blue Jacket Matthew Knies had a great debut, recording two goals and an assist.

Konsta Helenius Jack Quinn Buffalo Sabres — Buffalo Sabres center Konsta Helenius celebrates with right wing Jack Quinn his goal against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of Round 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

On Saturday night, the Sabres played their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, securing their first win, 4-3. The team fell behind 2-0 in the first period but battled back. The Blackhawks then took a 3-2 lead into the third period, but goals by Rasmus Dahlin and Jiri Kulich lifted the Sabres to a regulation win.

Sabres’ Power Play Struggles Through Two Games

Buffalo’s power play has struggled through the first two games, remaining scoreless through eight opportunities. With the talent on both units, that’s inexcusable.

During training camp, the analytics department reportedly provided the coaching staff with 50-60 pages outlining what makes an elite power play. It’s early, but two games in, the results aren’t reflecting that preparation. It’s also worth noting, per head coach Lindy Ruff, this is his power play, not assistant coach Seth Appert’s, despite Appert taking the brunt of the online criticism.

Sabres Injury Updates

There’s good news on the injury front. Olen Zellweger, who missed most of the preseason and the season opener due to a concussion, played in the team’s 4-3 win over the Blackhawks.

Conor Timmins has been out since Sept. 26 with a lower-body injury. He was placed on injured reserve before the season, and Ruff could not say how long he would be out of the lineup.

Alex Lyon left the team’s preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings on Sept. 24 after diving for a loose puck. He’s on injured reserve, but Ruff said he can be activated any time and should resume practice within the next few days.

Jason Zucker has been out since the start of training camp due after suffering a sports hernia during the offseason. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he “could maybe miss a couple weeks of the regular season.”