{"id":468268,"date":"2026-02-23T15:42:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T15:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/468268\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T15:42:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T15:42:19","slug":"sabres-week-ahead-schedule-storylines-injury-updates-practice-resumes-more-the-hockey-writers-column","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/468268\/","title":{"rendered":"Sabres Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines \u2013 Injury Updates, Practice Resumes & More – The Hockey Writers – Column"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2026 Winter Olympics have concluded, with the USA defeating Canada<\/a> in an overtime thriller 2-1, with Jack Hughes scoring the golden goal<\/a> for the USA\u2019s first gold medal in men\u2019s hockey in the Olympics since 1980. Included on this team was Buffalo Sabres\u2019 very own Tage Thompson, who is now an Olympic gold medalist. Now, NHL action is just around the corner, including the Sabres. Here is the news, rumors, and their schedule for the week of Feb. 23 \u2013 March 1.<\/p>\n

Sabres Resume Practicing<\/p>\n

NHL teams were allowed to resume practicing last week, which means the Olympic break is pretty much over. NHL games resume Wed, Feb. 25. The Sabres are back on the ice and practicing, with a few players eyeing returns from injury.<\/p>\n

Injury Updates: Josh Norris, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Skating<\/p>\n

Some key injury updates. Josh Norris<\/a>, who has been out since Jan. 14 due to an upper-body injury, started skating with the team on Jan. 31. It seems he will be ready to return when the Sabres resume game action on Feb. 25.<\/p>\n

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen<\/a> has been out since Jan. 27 due to a lower-body injury, which forced him to miss the 2026 Winter Olympics. He is back as a full participant in practice and is expected to be ready for game action when the Sabres resume play.<\/p>\n

Zach Benson, who left the game early against the Florida Panthers on Feb. 2 with an upper-body injury, has progressed well with it. However, he has been in and out of team practices due to an undisclosed injury, according to Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff.<\/p>\n

Upcoming Schedule<\/p>\n

Here is the upcoming schedule for the week of Feb. 23 \u2013 March 1<\/p>\n

Wed, Feb. 25, 2026 \u2013 @ New Jersey Devils \u2013 7:00 pm ET<\/p>\n

Fri, Feb 27, 2026 \u2013 @ Florida Panthers \u2013 7:00 pm ET<\/p>\n

Sat, Feb 28, 2026 \u2013 @ Tampa Bay Lightning \u2013 7:00 pm ET<\/p>\n

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