Matthew Fairburn
@matthewfairburn.bsky.social
Writing about the Buffalo Sabres and NHL for The Athletic. Occasionally writing about the Buffalo Bills as well.
Pinned
Terry Pegula’s ownership, Kevyn Adams’ rise and the ‘hamster wheel’ of Sabres’ record playoff drought
Buffalo's 14-season playoff drought is tied with the New York Jets for the longest postseason famine in major North American sports.
www.nytimes.com
How did Kevyn Adams earn Terry Pegula’s trust and how has he kept it?
After conversations with 10 people in and around the Sabres the last decade-plus and a lengthy sit down with Adams, a story on a record playoff drought.
“They’re on a hamster wheel.”
www.nytimes.com/athl...
After conversations with 10 people in and around the Sabres the last decade-plus and a lengthy sit down with Adams, a story on a record playoff drought.
“They’re on a hamster wheel.”
www.nytimes.com/athl...
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen lets in another rough goal, while Owen Power and Conor Timmins made avoidable mistakes of their own. And the Sabres have now crashed back down to last place in the east with a loss to the Penguins
Sabres crash back down to East basement with self-inflicted mistakes: 5 thoughts
Conor Timmins and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had rough outings, while Jack Quinn had a hand in both Buffalo goals.
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen lets in another rough goal, while Owen Power and Conor Timmins made avoidable mistakes of their own. And the Sabres have now crashed back down to last place in the east with a loss to the Penguins
The Toronto Maple Leafs won in overtime, so the Sabres are now back in sole possession of last place in the Eastern Conference.
November 27, 2025 at 3:04 AM
The Toronto Maple Leafs won in overtime, so the Sabres are now back in sole possession of last place in the Eastern Conference.
The Sabres lose 4-2. They are back below .500 points percentage with a 9-10-4 record. They play next at home on Friday against the New Jersey Devils.
November 27, 2025 at 2:24 AM
The Sabres lose 4-2. They are back below .500 points percentage with a 9-10-4 record. They play next at home on Friday against the New Jersey Devils.
With the net empty, the Sabres had a few great chances, but Tristan Jarry came up big for the Penguins. And then Connor Deward gets the empty netter to put the Penguins up 4-2.
November 27, 2025 at 2:22 AM
With the net empty, the Sabres had a few great chances, but Tristan Jarry came up big for the Penguins. And then Connor Deward gets the empty netter to put the Penguins up 4-2.
Jack Quinn gets his second goal of the game. Nice pass from behind the net from Jason Zucker. The Sabres are down 3-2 with just over four minutes to play.
November 27, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Jack Quinn gets his second goal of the game. Nice pass from behind the net from Jason Zucker. The Sabres are down 3-2 with just over four minutes to play.
Kevin Hayes gets a goal at the net front. Owen Power offered little in the way of resistance. The Sabres are down 3-1.
November 27, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Kevin Hayes gets a goal at the net front. Owen Power offered little in the way of resistance. The Sabres are down 3-1.
And the Penguins get one right back. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen dropped his stick, and Bryan Rust beat him five hole. Sabres down 2-1.
November 27, 2025 at 1:59 AM
And the Penguins get one right back. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen dropped his stick, and Bryan Rust beat him five hole. Sabres down 2-1.
Jack Quinn scores on a shot through traffic. Sabres and Penguins now tied at 1 in the third period.
November 27, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Jack Quinn scores on a shot through traffic. Sabres and Penguins now tied at 1 in the third period.
Sabres still trailing the Penguins 1-0 heading into the second intermission. Buffalo got a bit more of a push late in the second period, but still trailing with 20 minutes to play.
November 27, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Sabres still trailing the Penguins 1-0 heading into the second intermission. Buffalo got a bit more of a push late in the second period, but still trailing with 20 minutes to play.
Matt Dumba beats Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen glove side on a shot that got deflected. Penguins get a 1-0 lead on the Sabres late in the first period.
November 27, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Matt Dumba beats Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen glove side on a shot that got deflected. Penguins get a 1-0 lead on the Sabres late in the first period.
Reposted by Matthew Fairburn
Josh Allen has historic postseason passing stats, more rushing TDs than Earl Campbell, highest YPC of anyone with >70 TDs (0.3 over Jim Brown).
And the Bills are regressing. I talked to PFHOF voters to ask if Allen's greatness is being wasted:
✍️https://x.com/ByTimGraham/status/1993726444443451855
And the Bills are regressing. I talked to PFHOF voters to ask if Allen's greatness is being wasted:
✍️https://x.com/ByTimGraham/status/1993726444443451855
November 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Josh Allen has historic postseason passing stats, more rushing TDs than Earl Campbell, highest YPC of anyone with >70 TDs (0.3 over Jim Brown).
And the Bills are regressing. I talked to PFHOF voters to ask if Allen's greatness is being wasted:
✍️https://x.com/ByTimGraham/status/1993726444443451855
And the Bills are regressing. I talked to PFHOF voters to ask if Allen's greatness is being wasted:
✍️https://x.com/ByTimGraham/status/1993726444443451855
Reposted by Matthew Fairburn
Your Weds. morning Baker Fairburn Hockey Show discusses the incoming roster boost and a potential dance partner for even more additions @matthewfairburn.bsky.social:
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6k3w...
YT: youtu.be/P-9zfF_FdHA?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6k3w...
YT: youtu.be/P-9zfF_FdHA?...
A dance partner?
Podcast Episode · Baker Fairburn Hockey Show · 11/26/2025 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Your Weds. morning Baker Fairburn Hockey Show discusses the incoming roster boost and a potential dance partner for even more additions @matthewfairburn.bsky.social:
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6k3w...
YT: youtu.be/P-9zfF_FdHA?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6k3w...
YT: youtu.be/P-9zfF_FdHA?...
Happy gameday, Sabres fans. What I'm seeing from the Sabres through 22 games. Beck Malenstyn's emergence, Mattias Samuelsson's bounceback, Josh Norris nearing a return and more:
Five keys for Sabres after 22 games: Josh Norris’ return, role players step up, more
At the quarter-point of the season, what are we seeing from the Sabres heading into a pivotal stretch of games?
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Happy gameday, Sabres fans. What I'm seeing from the Sabres through 22 games. Beck Malenstyn's emergence, Mattias Samuelsson's bounceback, Josh Norris nearing a return and more:
Josh Norris is rotating in with Zach Benson on the Sabres' top power play with Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Jason Zucker and Josh Doan. Could be a good sign that he's getting close to a return.
November 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Josh Norris is rotating in with Zach Benson on the Sabres' top power play with Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Jason Zucker and Josh Doan. Could be a good sign that he's getting close to a return.
Sabres lines at practice
Doan-Thompson-Tuch
Benson-Norris-Ostlund
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Krebs-Kozak-Malenstyn
Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Timmins
Bryson-Power
Luukkonen has the net to himself.
Doan-Thompson-Tuch
Benson-Norris-Ostlund
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Krebs-Kozak-Malenstyn
Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Timmins
Bryson-Power
Luukkonen has the net to himself.
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Sabres lines at practice
Doan-Thompson-Tuch
Benson-Norris-Ostlund
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Krebs-Kozak-Malenstyn
Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Timmins
Bryson-Power
Luukkonen has the net to himself.
Doan-Thompson-Tuch
Benson-Norris-Ostlund
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Krebs-Kozak-Malenstyn
Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Timmins
Bryson-Power
Luukkonen has the net to himself.
The Athletic's NHL playoff odds model has the Sabres' playoff chances at 33 percent this morning. Money Puck has them at 7.3 percent. This is a confusing team, but they've climbed out of the basement and (maybe) back into the fight:
Sabres climb out of last place in Eastern Conference with win over Hurricanes: 5 thoughts
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made his first consecutive starts as the Sabres returned to .500 this season.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The Athletic's NHL playoff odds model has the Sabres' playoff chances at 33 percent this morning. Money Puck has them at 7.3 percent. This is a confusing team, but they've climbed out of the basement and (maybe) back into the fight:
Reposted by Matthew Fairburn
The Baker Fairburn Hockey Show was back at work early this AM @matthewfairburn.bsky.social. We discuss a lot more than just The Beer Sabre holding Excalibur-like powers. The Climb:
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2GQv...
YT: youtu.be/FrahPtJFVkM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2GQv...
YT: youtu.be/FrahPtJFVkM?...
The Climb
Podcast Episode · Baker Fairburn Hockey Show · 11/24/2025 · 56m
podcasts.apple.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The Baker Fairburn Hockey Show was back at work early this AM @matthewfairburn.bsky.social. We discuss a lot more than just The Beer Sabre holding Excalibur-like powers. The Climb:
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2GQv...
YT: youtu.be/FrahPtJFVkM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2GQv...
YT: youtu.be/FrahPtJFVkM?...
Reposted by Matthew Fairburn
The Sabres had one of their most impressive wins of the season against the Hurricanes on Sunday. They’re now out of last place in the conference. 5 thoughts on the team and the state of team:
Sabres climb out of last place in Eastern Conference with win over Hurricanes: 5 thoughts
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made his first consecutive starts as the Sabres returned to .500 this season.
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
The Sabres had one of their most impressive wins of the season against the Hurricanes on Sunday. They’re now out of last place in the conference. 5 thoughts on the team and the state of team:
The Sabres had one of their most impressive wins of the season against the Hurricanes on Sunday. They’re now out of last place in the conference. 5 thoughts on the team and the state of team:
Sabres climb out of last place in Eastern Conference with win over Hurricanes: 5 thoughts
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made his first consecutive starts as the Sabres returned to .500 this season.
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
The Sabres had one of their most impressive wins of the season against the Hurricanes on Sunday. They’re now out of last place in the conference. 5 thoughts on the team and the state of team:
Lindy Ruff said Jordan Greenway has struggled to regain strength after multiple hernia surgeries, so the team has put a plan in place to manage his game workload while he gets more time in the gym. That's why he didn't play today.
November 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Lindy Ruff said Jordan Greenway has struggled to regain strength after multiple hernia surgeries, so the team has put a plan in place to manage his game workload while he gets more time in the gym. That's why he didn't play today.
The Sabres get a hard-fought, 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. They're now 9-9-4 on the season and have climbed out of last place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
November 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
The Sabres get a hard-fought, 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. They're now 9-9-4 on the season and have climbed out of last place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tage Thompson scores on the empty net to extend his goal streak to six games. The Sabres have a 4-1 lead on the Hurricanes with 21 seconds to play.
November 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Tage Thompson scores on the empty net to extend his goal streak to six games. The Sabres have a 4-1 lead on the Hurricanes with 21 seconds to play.
Solid work by Mattias Samuelsson roughing up Jackson Blake in front of Buffalo's net to make sure the Hurricanes didn't get a late-period goal. The Sabres head to the second intermission with a 3-1 lead over the Hurricanes.
November 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Solid work by Mattias Samuelsson roughing up Jackson Blake in front of Buffalo's net to make sure the Hurricanes didn't get a late-period goal. The Sabres head to the second intermission with a 3-1 lead over the Hurricanes.
My word what a play by Beck Malenstyn. Deked Sebastian Aho out of his skates and then finished the play with a goal. Sabres up 3-1.
November 23, 2025 at 7:42 PM
My word what a play by Beck Malenstyn. Deked Sebastian Aho out of his skates and then finished the play with a goal. Sabres up 3-1.
Jack Quinn heading to the dressing room. He banged his arm on the post and was in quite a bit of pain.
November 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Jack Quinn heading to the dressing room. He banged his arm on the post and was in quite a bit of pain.