The Buffalo Sabres are legally allowed to have fans back in attendance at KeyBank Center under New York State guidelines that permit 10% capacity into arenas and stadiums with more than a 10,000-seat capacity.
The Sabres announced on Thursday that fans will be allowed to return to home games starting Saturday, March 20.
The Sabres can allow roughly 1,900 fans into the building to comply with the 10% capacity limit. COVID-19 testing will be required for fans to be allowed in the arena, with fans needing proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the game.
The team does use the phrase "select home games", implying that fans may not be allowed at all home games starting March 20.
The first home game that fans will be allowed to attend this season is schedule against the Boston Bruins at 1 p.m. EST.
The New York Rangers and New York Islanders are both set to welcome fans back as well. The Rangers will have limited fans at Madison Square Garden starting this Friday, while the Islanders will allow fans back at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 18.
Both the Rangers and Islanders are only making tickets available to season ticket holders.
Meanwhile, the Rochester Americans announced on Thursday that the team will proceed without fans in attendance at Blue Cross Arena this season.