![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_wivb_articles_706\/87944561f13d7561559e5b24ec7fd1a4.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) \u2014 Buffalo Sabres fans remain hopeful after the team\u2019s 5-1 loss<\/a> against the Montreal Canadiens Friday night at KeyBank Center.<\/p>\n \u201cI definitely feel like we can come back, it\u2019s only Game 2 and we\u2019re tied,\u201d one fan told WIVB News 4 after the game.<\/p>\n \u201cI still feel pretty confident \u2014 this team has had its ups and downs,\u201d another fan added.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just the Sabres, we\u2019ll find a way to win,\u201d one fan shared. \u201cWe always come back. It\u2019s Buffalo.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the game\u2019s outcome, fans had a lively night throughout the evening at watch parties across the city.<\/p>\n Hundreds filled Hofbr\u00e4uhaus 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like rooting for the Sabres right now is like rooting for hockey,\u201d Russell said. \u201cLike in general, I\u2019m like, \u2018Go hockey, go Sabres!\u2019 It\u2019s been awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHockey\u2019s back. Buffalo\u2019s back. We\u2019re not leaving either,\u201d Sabres fan Jake Diomme said. \u201cSeeing us in the playoffs, nothing can beat it. This is awesome. This is a hockey town, football town, nothing better.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s next as the series plays out.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve 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,\u201d said Sabres fan Stella Bianco. \u201cThere\u2019s no better place to be right now.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sabres will travel to Montreal for the next two games against the Canadiens, starting with Game 3 Sunday night.<\/p>\n Latest Local News<\/p>\n Angelica Gallagher is a Lancaster native who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gabriella Baiano has been a digital producer with WIVB since November 2025. View more of her work here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n