Sabres defy the “one anthem season” will play both Canadian and American national anthems

With the puck officially dropping on the 2021 NHL season last night, the "one anthem season" is officially underway.

Fan from across the NHL commented last night on the fact that teams will have just one anthem played during the regular season this year, due to the fact that Canadian and American teams are isolated from one another. Typically, the anthems of the home team and the visiting team will be played prior to an NHL game. That means, of course that if the Toronto Maple Leafs are in Boston to take on the Boston Bruins, then both anthems will be played. But if the Bruins are hosting say the New York Rangers, just the Star Spangled Banner will suffice. So, for 30 of the NHL's teams it's a one anthem season. And then there's the Buffalo Sabres...

The Sabres, who have been playing both anthems regardless of their opponent for years, confirmed yesterday that they will continue playing both the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada prior to their home games in Buffalo.

Check it out:

A classy move. And frankly, this is a simple gesture from the Sabres organization that we can all appreciate. Whether you're an American or a Canadian, whether we agree on politics or not, the fact of the matter is that these two great nations are linked together forever by not only geography but also by culture and, by extension, by sport. Hockey doesn't exist as we know it without BOTH Canada and the United States and it's pretty cool how the Sabres organization not only embraces this, but actively promotes it. Kudos!