Buffalo Sabres ticket and team info

If you were in the HSBC Arena last season for the Buffalo Sabres' playoff run, you know what a rocking place it was. There wasn't a more exciting arena for hockey than in Buffalo, New York. The city was absolutely on fire as the Sabres stampeded into the Eastern Conference Finals. This year looks to bring more of the same to a city that loves their Sabres more than anything. Specifically designed for live events, the HSBC Center was made for hockey. Located on downtown Buffalo's waterfront, the HSBC Center is the first arena to use the state-of-art Ice Projection System, which turns the ice into a gigantic movie screen. The future is now in Buffalo, and you get to see it first with Buffalo Sabres tickets!

The Star
Goaltender Ryan Miller is one of the best players on Buffalo's squad. The young goalie from Michigan State was sensational in the post-season, posting an 11-7 record as a rookie. As a Spartan, Miller took home the Hobey Baker Memorial Award for top collegiate player in 2000-01 and is showing all the signs of transferring that success into the NHL. Miller is known around the league as completely unflappable and very mature, shaking off bad goals with ease and remaining in the game until the very end.

The Coach
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has a reputation for being blunt with the media, and the hard-nosed Buffalo fans love him for it. Ruff won the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year last, season, a well-deserved award considering it was the Sabres best season ever. The only reason fans weren't buying Buffalo Sabres tickets to the Stanley Cup Finals was due to injuries to several key players. Don't count out Ruff's Sabres this year.

The Team
Fans may have disheartened when star defenseman Jay McKee departed for St Louis, but were thrilled to learn that Jaroslav Spacek would be filling in his place. Spacek had a great run in the playoffs last year with Edmonton and he's sure to do the same for Buffalo. The blue line is now extremely deep, and will be the Buffalo Sabres' ticket to the playoffs this year. But let's not forget the offense: at 276 goals, they were third in the conference. Injuries hindered the Sabres last year, but this year with everyone healthy, there's nothing standing between Buffalo and the Stanley Cup!
 

Buffalo Sabres info

Buffalo Sabres tickets may be poised to provide something different in the 2005-2006 NHL season: A trip to the playoffs, and, dare we say it, a run to the Stanley Cup. The trip may not be easy, but the Sabres are regrouping after a long layoff and the cast of characters being assembled for the new season is based on some familiar faces. The Sabres avoided the free agent frenzy and are building their future with players already in house and ready to contribute. A close look provides good reason for optimism among hockey fans considering Sabres tickets and a trip to HSBC Arena.

Daniel Briere led the Sabres with 28 goals and 37 assists in the 2004 NHL season. Chris Drury added another 18 goals in 2004 and in a full season should reap bigger rewards for the Sabres. The return of Tim Connolly should also improve the Sabres play this season. Connolly, who returns after missing the 2003-2004 season with injuries, is coming off a sub-par year that saw him score only 12 goals. Better things are expected, as he returns to full health.

While the Sabres have never hoisted a Stanley Cup, they’ve been to the Stanley Cup Finals on two occasions, once in 1975 and again in 1999. The trip in ’99 was preceded by an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, so they’re no strangers to success. In their run to the Stanley Cup Finals in ’99, the Sabres finished the regular season at 37-28-17. Following a sweep of the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres advanced to the Conference Finals after a six- game series with the Boston Bruins. It took five games to clinch a the Eastern Conference championship over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unfortunately for the Sabres, they lost to the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Finals.

While Buffalo Sabres ticket holders watched the rest of the NHL jockey for position in the free agent market, the Sabres stood pat, occasionally dipping their toe into the water but rarely making waves. That approach speaks of confidence in the current roster. The HSBC Arena will provide ringside seats for Buffalo hockey fans to see for themselves why head coach Lindy Ruff thinks so highly of his squad. Whether Ruff is correct or his confidence is misplaced will be determined on the ice and by the fans that line up for Buffalo Sabres tickets.