Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The National Hockey League has postponed Tuesday’s Buffalo Sabres game in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. This is the second game postponed due to the storm, as Friday’s home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning was also postponed.
With the Buffalo Blizzard of 2022, it was impossible for the Sabres to get to Ohio. The Buffalo-Niagara International Airport announced Monday afternoon that it won't be open until Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST.
Many of the players live in the city, where there’s still a driving ban with many streets blocked with abandoned vehicles.
The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association states that all players must be totally off on Dec. 24-26 to be with their families for Christmas. That means no practices, games or travel during that span.
The Sabres' original plan was to have a morning skate in Buffalo on Tuesday morning and fly to Columbus afterwards. The game has not yet been re-scheduled.
The team hasn’t been on the ice together since Thursday morning, so they have to have a practice or a morning skate before they can play a game.
Buffalo’s next scheduled game is Thursday at home against the Detroit Red Wings. That marks 10 days since their last game in Vegas on Dec. 19.
The Sabres are on a four-game winning streak, including three wins on their Western road trip.
