Buffalo Sabres Heiress Jessica Pegula Braces for 'Brutal' NHL Playoffs and Tennis Overlap

Pegula faces logistical challenge of following Sabres' playoff run while competing on European clay courts.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:20am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, with rapid brushstrokes capturing the raw energy and intensity of a hockey playoff game, the players' faces and jerseys dissolving into unrecognizable splatters of paint.The Pegula family's long-awaited return to the NHL playoffs promises to bring an electric atmosphere to Buffalo, even as their tennis star daughter Jessica juggles her own European schedule.Buffalo Today

Jessica Pegula, the world No. 5 tennis player and heiress to the Buffalo Sabres, is excited about the team's first playoff appearance in 14 years, but admits it will be a 'brutal' challenge to follow their run from Europe as she competes on the clay-court circuit. Pegula plans to rest in Florida before the European swing, but could find herself juggling her tennis schedule and supporting the Sabres if they make a deep playoff run.

Why it matters

As the daughter of the Sabres' owners, Pegula has a deep personal investment in the team's success. However, the overlap between the NHL playoffs and the European clay-court season creates a logistical nightmare for the top tennis player, who will have to balance her own professional commitments with supporting her family's franchise.

The details

Pegula has kicked off the clay-court season in strong form, winning the Charleston Open for the second consecutive year. She is thrilled that the Sabres have ended their 14-year playoff drought, but laments the 'brutal' challenge of following their run from Europe due to the time difference. Pegula plans to rest in Florida before the European swing, but could find herself juggling her tennis schedule and supporting the Sabres if they make a deep playoff run, as the Stanley Cup Final is slated for June.

  • The Buffalo Sabres clinched a playoff berth on April 4, 2026.
  • The NHL playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18, 2026.
  • The Stanley Cup Final is slated to take place in June 2026.

The players

Jessica Pegula

The world No. 5 tennis player and heiress to the Buffalo Sabres, who is excited about the team's first playoff appearance in 14 years but faces a logistical challenge of following their run from Europe as she competes on the clay-court circuit.

Terry and Kim Pegula

The billionaire owners of the Buffalo Sabres, who are Jessica Pegula's parents.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah super excited for them. They it's been a long 15 years so I'm so happy that they clinched. Yeah the the city is just going to go absolutely berserk like it's wild, I can't believe it. So it's so exciting. We're all super excited to watch some playoff hockey for the first time in Buffalo in a long time. So yeah, it's been cool to watch.”

— Jessica Pegula

“I mean, I don't even know when the playoffs start. It doesn't start. Yeah I think six games to go yeah. Usually I'm in Europe and that sucks with the time change, which is going to be brutal with trying to keep up with them. But no, I'm just going to go back to Florida. Yeah, I'm going to rest up for a bit.”

— Jessica Pegula

What’s next

Should the Buffalo Sabres make a deep playoff run, Jessica Pegula will likely find herself juggling her campaigns at the Madrid Open, the Italian Open, and the French Open while also supporting her family-owned franchise, as the Stanley Cup Final is slated to take place in June.

The takeaway

This case highlights the unique challenges faced by professional athletes who also have deep personal ties to their family's sports franchises. Pegula must balance her own tennis commitments with her desire to support the Sabres, creating a logistical nightmare as the NHL playoffs overlap with the European clay-court season.