BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Sabres fans remain hopeful after the team’s 5-1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens Friday night at KeyBank Center.

“I definitely feel like we can come back, it’s only Game 2 and we’re tied,” one fan told WIVB News 4 after the game.

“I still feel pretty confident — this team has had its ups and downs,” another fan added.

“It’s just the Sabres, we’ll find a way to win,” one fan shared. “We always come back. It’s Buffalo.”

Despite the game’s outcome, fans had a lively night throughout the evening at watch parties across the city.

Hundreds filled Hofbräuhaus Buffalo for a pregame hosted by actor and former hockey player Wyatt Russell as he promoted his Lake Hour Seltzers and met with fans gearing up for the game.

“I feel like rooting for the Sabres right now is like rooting for hockey,” Russell said. “Like in general, I’m like, ‘Go hockey, go Sabres!’ It’s been awesome.”

“Hockey’s back. Buffalo’s back. We’re not leaving either,” Sabres fan Jake Diomme said. “Seeing us in the playoffs, nothing can beat it. This is awesome. This is a hockey town, football town, nothing better.

Fans said they are thrilled to see the team in the second round of the playoffs for the first time in nearly 20 years and look forward to seeing what’s next as the series plays out.

“I’ve watched them through wins, through losses, and so just to be able to watch them in the playoffs again and to see everybody come together again as a community for the Sabres, it really is just a great time,” said Sabres fan Stella Bianco. “There’s no better place to be right now.”

The Sabres will travel to Montreal for the next two games against the Canadiens, starting with Game 3 Sunday night.

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Angelica Gallagher is a Lancaster native who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work here.

Gabriella Baiano has been a digital producer with WIVB since November 2025. View more of her work here.

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