The Buffalo Sabres schedule is being changed. They have preemptively adjusted their schedule for this weekend due to forecasted extreme winter weather. The Sabres will now play the Tampa Bay Lightning at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on March 4 instead of 7 p.m. on Dec. 23. The original game for March 4th has also been changed. The Philadelphia Flyers will instead visit Buffalo on the 9th of January at 7 pm.
🚨 Schedule Update 🚨
Original tickets for both games can be used for entry to the rescheduled date and time. If you have immediate questions, please contact your Account Service Representative.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 21, 2022
Buffalo Sabres Schedule Changed
The schedule change was made because an intense winter storm is expected to impact most of North America starting on Thursday and lasting through at least Christmas Day. According to National Weather Service forecasts, Buffalo may receive up to two feet of snow between the morning of the 23rd and Christmas morning. NWS predictions also call for high winds and temperatures in the single digits Fahrenheit in the area.
League-Wide Impact
The storm may impact other NHL games as well. According to reporting by the New York Times, the Midwest, Plains, Northeast, and Great Lakes are all likely to experience frigid temperatures and at least two inches of snowfall. Canada will also be hit by the conditions which are likely to begin Thursday in the eastern part of the nation. Rapid temperature drops may make road travel hazardous, and strong winds will impact flights across the continent. Snow accumulation and gusty winds can also damage electrical infrastructure.
There are currently 12 games scheduled for the 23rd. Half of those games are in cities which are projected to be impacted. Notable games include Columbus at Chicago; Vancouver at Edmonton; and Detroit at Ottawa. No other games are postponed yet.
This storm system would not be the first to impact the NHL schedule. The Seattle Kraken had games postponed on two separate occasions due to snow in January and April of this year. In 2016, three East Coast games were postponed.
