Sabres and Their Moms Embark on Florida Road Trip

The Buffalo Sabres have embarked on a special journey, bringing their mothers along for a pivotal road trip to Florida.

 

This unique experience kicked off with a home game at KeyBank Center, where the Sabres faced a narrow 4-2 defeat against the Montreal Canadiens.

 

Despite the loss, the presence of the players' mothers added a heartfelt touch to the evening.

 

Defenseman Owen Power ended a 24-game goal drought by scoring in the second period, a moment that saw his mother, Trish Power, joyfully mimicking his celebration from the stands.

 

Reflecting on the moment, Power shared with a smile, "I wasn't too happy with it."

 

While Trish and other mothers often attend home games, this trip offers them a rare opportunity to experience the rigors of an NHL road schedule.

 

The team is set to face the Florida Panthers on Monday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

 

Power emphasized the significance of this trip, stating, "Obviously, they've done a lot for us to be able to be here today, so for them to come, I think it's pretty cool for them, and it should be a good trip."

 

For some players, the journey to Buffalo was more arduous.

 

Forward Konsta Helenius, who made his NHL debut just two weeks ago, had his parents travel from Finland to witness his initial games.

 

His mother made the trip back to Finland and returned to join the moms' trip, highlighting the dedication and support these families provide.

 

Despite heading south, the Sabres won't be escaping the cold entirely.

 

Unseasonably cool temperatures are expected in Florida during their visit.

 

However, the team remains focused on the intense playoff race.

 

They'll face the Panthers, trailing by eight points in the Atlantic Division, followed by the Lightning, who are five points ahead.

 

As of Saturday, Buffalo holds the first Eastern Conference wild card spot with 67 points.

 

However, surging teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets, on a five-game winning streak with 61 points, pose significant threats.

 

Captain Rasmus Dahlin underscored the importance of the upcoming games, stating, "Important games now coming up. If we want to show we're a really good team, we better win these ones. These are the types of games you can see if you're a good team or not."

 

On Sunday, the Sabres held an optional practice before departing for Florida.

 

Forward Josh Norris (upper body) participated as expected.

 

Additionally, Isak Rosen was recalled from Rochester to provide depth, especially with Jordan Greenway managing a middle-body injury.

 

Rosen has accumulated seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 13 NHL games this season and boasts 20 goals with the Amerks, tying him for fifth in the AHL.

 

The Sabres are set to face the Panthers on Monday at 7 p.m., with pregame coverage starting at 6:30.

 

Fans can stay updated with potential lineup changes from Monday's morning skate in Florida.