Buffalo are one of four teams that will begin next season in Europe. In fact, the season opener has already been set. The Sabres will open their season on Friday, October 7th against Anaheim at Hartwall Arena in Helsink.
The following day, the Sabres will play the Los Angeles Kings at O2 World Arena in Berlin. Jochen Hecht, who is from Germany and Thomas Vanek (from Austria) will get to play the season opener close to their hometowns.
The Sabres will be playing their first regular-season games in Europe, though they did play a series of exhibition games in Austria in 1998.
The Rangers will be the other team participating in the games in Europe. The disadvantage for the Sabres is that they are the only of the four teams who have yet to do this. It will be different and Sabres fans will get to experience something a little different before the team comes home to “Pegulaville”.