Matthew Fairburn
@matthewfairburn.bsky.social
Writing about the Buffalo Sabres and NHL for The Athletic. Occasionally writing about the Buffalo Bills as well.
Pinned
Terry Pegula’s ownership, Kevyn Adams’ rise and the ‘hamster wheel’ of Sabres’ record playoff drought
Buffalo's 14-season playoff drought is tied with the New York Jets for the longest postseason famine in major North American sports.
www.nytimes.com
How did Kevyn Adams earn Terry Pegula’s trust and how has he kept it?
After conversations with 10 people in and around the Sabres the last decade-plus and a lengthy sit down with Adams, a story on a record playoff drought.
“They’re on a hamster wheel.”
www.nytimes.com/athl...
After conversations with 10 people in and around the Sabres the last decade-plus and a lengthy sit down with Adams, a story on a record playoff drought.
“They’re on a hamster wheel.”
www.nytimes.com/athl...
Peyton Krebs help spark the Sabres’ comeback win over the Panthers last night. Thought on Buffalo passing another big test and getting 10 points of separation on Florida in the standings
Peyton Krebs shines, Sabres pass another big test in win vs. Panthers: 5 thoughts
The Panthers struck first, but the Sabres pulled back control of the game thanks to a sterling performance from Krebs.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Peyton Krebs help spark the Sabres’ comeback win over the Panthers last night. Thought on Buffalo passing another big test and getting 10 points of separation on Florida in the standings
The Sabres beat the Panthers 5-3. Huge win. Buffalo is now 10 points ahead of Florida in the standings. Sabres head to Tampa to play the Lightning tomorrow night.
February 3, 2026 at 2:40 AM
The Sabres beat the Panthers 5-3. Huge win. Buffalo is now 10 points ahead of Florida in the standings. Sabres head to Tampa to play the Lightning tomorrow night.
Peyton Krebs makes a great play to hang onto the puck and set up Josh Doan for a goal on a two-on-one. That puts the Sabres up 5-3 with two minutes to go. Krebs has three points in this one.
February 3, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Peyton Krebs makes a great play to hang onto the puck and set up Josh Doan for a goal on a two-on-one. That puts the Sabres up 5-3 with two minutes to go. Krebs has three points in this one.
Zach Benson briefly tried to return to the game for the Sabres but skated off after his shift and went right back down the tunnel.
February 3, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Zach Benson briefly tried to return to the game for the Sabres but skated off after his shift and went right back down the tunnel.
Sabres get a power play and convert. Josh Doan made a great play to buy some time behind the net and set up Jason Zucker for a goal at the front of the net. Sabres up 4-3.
February 3, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Sabres get a power play and convert. Josh Doan made a great play to buy some time behind the net and set up Jason Zucker for a goal at the front of the net. Sabres up 4-3.
Zach Benson down on the ice in pain after crashing into the end boards after narrowly missing on a scoring chance. Looked like he was hooked. Benson was favoring his left shoulder. Went right to the dressing room.
February 3, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Zach Benson down on the ice in pain after crashing into the end boards after narrowly missing on a scoring chance. Looked like he was hooked. Benson was favoring his left shoulder. Went right to the dressing room.
Sabres and Panthers tied at 3 at the second intermission. Buffalo is 5-4-4 this season when tied after two.
February 3, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Sabres and Panthers tied at 3 at the second intermission. Buffalo is 5-4-4 this season when tied after two.
Panthers score on the power play. Balinskis on a one-timer. Sabres and Panthers now tied at 3 late in the second period.
February 3, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Panthers score on the power play. Balinskis on a one-timer. Sabres and Panthers now tied at 3 late in the second period.
Sergei Bobrovsky got caught way out of the net. Ryan McLeod beat him to the puck and found Zach Benson for a look at the wide open net. Benson converts, and the Sabres are up 3-2.
February 3, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Sergei Bobrovsky got caught way out of the net. Ryan McLeod beat him to the puck and found Zach Benson for a look at the wide open net. Benson converts, and the Sabres are up 3-2.
Sabres and Panthers tied at 2 at the first intermission. Impressive response from Buffalo after falling behind 2-0 early.
February 3, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Sabres and Panthers tied at 2 at the first intermission. Impressive response from Buffalo after falling behind 2-0 early.
Pretty pass from Rasmus Dahlin to set Peyton Krebs up for a net-front tap in. Sabres and Panthers now tied at 2.
February 3, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Pretty pass from Rasmus Dahlin to set Peyton Krebs up for a net-front tap in. Sabres and Panthers now tied at 2.
Wow what a move by Tage Thompson to find some time and space. Then he beat Bobrovsky clean from the slot. Sabres now down 2-1.
February 3, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Wow what a move by Tage Thompson to find some time and space. Then he beat Bobrovsky clean from the slot. Sabres now down 2-1.
Evan Rodrigues banks a puck off Jason Zucker and it gets by Alex Lyon. Sabres down 2-0 early in Florida.
February 3, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Evan Rodrigues banks a puck off Jason Zucker and it gets by Alex Lyon. Sabres down 2-0 early in Florida.
Sandis Vilmanis scores 37 seconds into the game, and the Panthers have a 1-0 lead on the Sabres. Vilmanis beat Alex Lyon high glove side.
February 3, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Sandis Vilmanis scores 37 seconds into the game, and the Panthers have a 1-0 lead on the Sabres. Vilmanis beat Alex Lyon high glove side.
"He’s been a pain in the ass to forecheck against."
"He's growing up."
Wrote about Owen Power taking a step for the Sabres this season.
"He's growing up."
Wrote about Owen Power taking a step for the Sabres this season.
Sabres notes: Is Owen Power quieting his critics? Plus ticket thoughts and more
Plus, Beck Malenstyn's stat of note, an injury situation and the schedule ahead.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:48 PM
"He’s been a pain in the ass to forecheck against."
"He's growing up."
Wrote about Owen Power taking a step for the Sabres this season.
"He's growing up."
Wrote about Owen Power taking a step for the Sabres this season.
Sabres Monday notebook
- Is Owen Power finally quieting the critics? Spoke to Power and some of his teammates about his season.
- Plus some other leftover thoughts from the week, including the ticket situation over the weekend, a notable stat and more:
- Is Owen Power finally quieting the critics? Spoke to Power and some of his teammates about his season.
- Plus some other leftover thoughts from the week, including the ticket situation over the weekend, a notable stat and more:
Sabres notes: Is Owen Power quieting his critics? Plus ticket thoughts and more
Plus, Beck Malenstyn's stat of note, an injury situation and the schedule ahead.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Sabres Monday notebook
- Is Owen Power finally quieting the critics? Spoke to Power and some of his teammates about his season.
- Plus some other leftover thoughts from the week, including the ticket situation over the weekend, a notable stat and more:
- Is Owen Power finally quieting the critics? Spoke to Power and some of his teammates about his season.
- Plus some other leftover thoughts from the week, including the ticket situation over the weekend, a notable stat and more:
The Sabres recalled Isak Rosen from Rochester and sent Zac Jones down to the AHL.
February 1, 2026 at 4:46 PM
The Sabres recalled Isak Rosen from Rochester and sent Zac Jones down to the AHL.
Reposted by Matthew Fairburn
On Canadiens-Sabres:
From me, the potential solutions to some nagging problems that led to a Canadiens comeback win: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
From @matthewfairburn.bsky.social, the Sabres were unhappy it was essentially a road game and other thoughts: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
From me, the potential solutions to some nagging problems that led to a Canadiens comeback win: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
From @matthewfairburn.bsky.social, the Sabres were unhappy it was essentially a road game and other thoughts: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Canadiens' big win over Sabres provides solutions to some nagging problems
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:39 PM
On Canadiens-Sabres:
From me, the potential solutions to some nagging problems that led to a Canadiens comeback win: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
From @matthewfairburn.bsky.social, the Sabres were unhappy it was essentially a road game and other thoughts: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
From me, the potential solutions to some nagging problems that led to a Canadiens comeback win: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
From @matthewfairburn.bsky.social, the Sabres were unhappy it was essentially a road game and other thoughts: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Nick Suzuki said last night was a must win for the Canadiens. Their fans swarmed to Buffalo to match that statement. Thoughts on a frustrating loss for the Sabres, who have to move on quickly with a tough week ahead
Rasmus Dahlin frustrated as Montreal fans dominate Sabres’ home loss: 3 thoughts
A large chunk of the crowd, particularly in the lower bowl, was wearing the visiting team’s colors Saturday night.
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Nick Suzuki said last night was a must win for the Canadiens. Their fans swarmed to Buffalo to match that statement. Thoughts on a frustrating loss for the Sabres, who have to move on quickly with a tough week ahead
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on the atmosphere in Buffalo tonight, which featured a heavy dose of Canadiens fans: “I really, really appreciate the fans that came out, but I don’t want to see that many red in the future.”
February 1, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on the atmosphere in Buffalo tonight, which featured a heavy dose of Canadiens fans: “I really, really appreciate the fans that came out, but I don’t want to see that many red in the future.”
Canadiens get an empty netter and take a 4-2 lead with 47 seconds left.
February 1, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Canadiens get an empty netter and take a 4-2 lead with 47 seconds left.
Cole Caufield scores again, and the Canadiens are up 3-2 in the third period. Kirby Dach took the puck from Michael Kesselring in the corner and started a quick passing play to Caufield in front of the net.
February 1, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Cole Caufield scores again, and the Canadiens are up 3-2 in the third period. Kirby Dach took the puck from Michael Kesselring in the corner and started a quick passing play to Caufield in front of the net.
The Canadiens get the equalizer. Naturally, it's Cole Caufield, as it always seems to be when Montreal needs a goal. Perfect re-direct. Buffalo and Montreal tied at 2 in the third.
February 1, 2026 at 2:15 AM
The Canadiens get the equalizer. Naturally, it's Cole Caufield, as it always seems to be when Montreal needs a goal. Perfect re-direct. Buffalo and Montreal tied at 2 in the third.
Sabres are taking a 2-1 lead to the second intermission. Standing ovation from the home crowd.
February 1, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Sabres are taking a 2-1 lead to the second intermission. Standing ovation from the home crowd.
Noah Ostlund scores just as the Sabres power play is expiring. Alex Tuch found him with a pass in the slot. Buffalo has a 2-1 lead on Montreal.
February 1, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Noah Ostlund scores just as the Sabres power play is expiring. Alex Tuch found him with a pass in the slot. Buffalo has a 2-1 lead on Montreal.