Welcome back to SabresHub. As the Buffalo Sabres await the winner of the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning Game 7, the squad returned to the ice at KeyBank Center on Sunday. With Game 1 of the second round scheduled for Wednesday night here in Buffalo, head coach Lindy Ruff is making sure his 2026 roster is rested, recovered, and ready for the next grueling step of this postseason run.
Logan Stanley’s Grueling Recovery
One of the most welcome sights on the ice Sunday was defenseman Logan Stanley. The towering blueliner missed the series-clinching Game 6 against the Boston Bruins due to a severe stomach virus that struck him just days prior.
Over a punishing two-day span without solid food or liquids, the defender dropped 12 pounds from his imposing 6-foot-7, 231-pound build. Despite testing the waters in Game 6 warmups, he wisely chose to sit out. Now, after successfully sequestering himself and prioritizing his health, he was a full participant in practice and is fully prepared for Wednesday’s puck drop.
Roster Updates and the Philosophy of Rest
Unfortunately, the news is not entirely positive on the health front. Ruff confirmed that forward Noah Ostlund, dealing with a lower-body issue, and Sam Carrick, nursing a left arm injury, will both be sidelined for the entirety of the second round. This leaves Buffalo noticeably thin down the middle of the ice.
Managing the physical toll of the playoffs is paramount, especially after Buffalo surrendered 20 man-games to injury during the Boston series. Ruff is implementing a strict every-other-day routine to mitigate fatigue. Following Saturday’s complete day off and Sunday’s on-ice session, the team will stick to off-ice workouts on Monday before holding a final full practice on Tuesday.
Goaltender Alex Lyon views this phase of the calendar as an entirely separate season, noting the intense emotional and physical drain. For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, properly pacing the body for a potential 28-game playoff slog is crucial.
Airport Antics
It turns out the players are not the only ones dealing with physical hazards. Upon arriving at Buffalo Niagara International Airport at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, a massive crowd of dedicated fans greeted the team. Ruff enthusiastically engaged with the supporters from his vehicle, later joking that he nearly separated his shoulder delivering fist-bumps through his car window in the chilly night air.
The Dynamic Duo: Benson and Doan
On the ice, the third-line pairing of Zach Benson and Josh Doan continues to be an absolute nightmare for opponents. Regardless of who centers their line—recently cycling through Josh Norris and the now-injured Ostlund—their underlying numbers are staggering.
During five-on-five play in the first round, they helped outscore Boston 4-2, dominated the shot clock 32-17, and controlled 62 percent of the expected goals. Doan, who ranked fourth in the NHL for regular-season takeaways, already has five in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Benson’s relentless puck pursuit resulted in drawing eight penalties against the Bruins. Ruff likened Benson’s aggressive forechecking to an annoying insect that opponents simply cannot swat away, cementing the duo as two of the hardest-working forwards on the roster.
Playoff Beard Watch
As the postseason marches on, the traditional playoff beards are officially under the microscope. Veteran forward Jordan Greenway has been less than impressed with the locker room’s overall facial hair efforts so far. However, 20-year-old Benson has been pleasantly surprised by his own unexpected beard growth, a fitting symbol of a young player thriving under the bright lights of playoff hockey.
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