Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The start of the 2023-24 regular season for the Buffalo Sabres has been a bit of an up-and-down rollercoaster, with the team currently sitting at 6-6-1 through the opening 13 games.
However, one of Buffalo's flaws to their success has been the team's record on home ice at KeyBank Center. Last season, the Sabres went 17-20-4 in front of their hometown faithful, which was no where good enough to help them on their quest for a playoff berth.
So far this season, Buffalo's record on home ice has not been much better with a 3-4-0 record in seven games played.
With the Sabres set to host the Minnesota Wild on Friday night at KeyBank Center for "Hockey Fights Cancer" night, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams knows a key part to his team's future success will be performing better at their home arena.
"We know we need to play well at home to be a top team in this league," said Adams during his appearance on "Schopp and the Bulldog" on WGR. "You need to be rock-solid at home where when teams come into your building, they know it’s going to be tough to get points."
"Hockey Fights Cancer" night in Downtown Buffalo always carries some significance not just for Adams, but for a number of members in the organization.
"A night like tonight, certainly the energy is in the building, but it also helps to put things in perspective," Adams said with Chris "Bulldog" Parker. "It does make you take a breath and think about things that, at the end of the day, are more important than hockey."
As for rookie defenseman Ryan Johnson, he has become a stalwart on the back end after being called up by the Sabres and playing the last two games. Johnson was even able to pick up his first NHL point with an assist against the Toronto Maple Leafs this past Saturday night.
Adams has been very impressed with what he has seen from the 22-year-old defenseman in his first full season of professional hockey.
"I’m really proud of the way he’s absorbed all the information, and taken it into his game," he said.
Hear more from Adams' appearance during "Schopp and the Bulldog" available in the player below:
