Bills Players Wish Sabres Luck as NHL Playoffs Begin

Buffalo's NFL and NHL franchises show cross-sport support ahead of Sabres' first playoff appearance in 14 years.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:37pm

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A fractured, multi-angled painting depicting the action of a hockey game, with the players and the rink broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of blue, gold, black, and white, conveying the raw competitive spirit of the playoff series.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes playoff clash between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, capturing the intensity and energy of the matchup through a fragmented, geometric lens.Buffalo Today

As the Buffalo Sabres prepare to face the Boston Bruins in the first round of the NHL playoffs, several Buffalo Bills players recorded a video message wishing the Sabres good luck. The video features Bills players like linebacker Joe Andreessen, offensive lineman Spencer Brown, and safety Damar Hamlin expressing their support for the Sabres' playoff run, with Brown saying 'In Tage Thompson we trust' in reference to the Sabres' leading goal scorer.

Why it matters

This show of cross-sport support between the Bills and Sabres highlights the close-knit sports culture in Buffalo, where fans passionately follow both the NFL and NHL teams. The Bills' video message also comes at a pivotal time, as the Sabres make their first playoff appearance in 14 years, providing a rare opportunity for the city's hockey fans to experience postseason excitement.

The details

The video message from the Bills players was posted to the team's social media channels ahead of the Sabres' playoff opener against the Bruins on Sunday night. In addition to the well-wishes, the video also featured some injury updates, with players like Michael Hoecht, Tyrell Shavers, and Dorian Strong making appearances despite being sidelined with various injuries during the 2025 NFL season.

  • The Bills' video message was posted on April 19, 2026, ahead of the Sabres' first-round playoff series against the Bruins.
  • The Sabres' playoff opener against the Bruins is scheduled for April 23, 2026 at 7:30 PM.

The players

Joe Andreessen

A linebacker for the Buffalo Bills and a native of Western New York.

Dorian Williams

A linebacker for the Buffalo Bills.

Tage Thompson

The leading goal scorer for the Buffalo Sabres.

Spencer Brown

An offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills.

Michael Hoecht

A pass rusher for the Buffalo Bills who is recovering from an Achilles injury.

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What they’re saying

“Good luck Sabres!”

— Joe Andreessen, Linebacker

“Good luck in the playoffs, Sabres. In Tage Thompson we trust”

— Spencer Brown, Offensive Lineman

“Good luck, boys. Cycle the puck, shots in deep, shots on net.”

— Michael Hoecht, Pass Rusher

“Appreciate everything y'all did, pulling up on us. It's y'all turn to go handle it.”

— Damar Hamlin, Safety

What’s next

The Sabres will host the Boston Bruins for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 23, 2026 at 7:30 PM.

The takeaway

The Bills' show of support for the Sabres' long-awaited playoff appearance underscores the deep connection between Buffalo's NFL and NHL franchises, as well as the city's unwavering passion for its sports teams. This cross-sport camaraderie reflects the shared excitement and anticipation among Buffalo's sports fans as both teams embark on their respective postseason journeys.