Sabres Blade Gang, explained: Meet the diehard Buffalo fans bringing historic tradition back to NHL playoffs

Is there a better to way to unite players and fans during a playoff run than a group of roller blading companions? The people of Buffalo certainly don't think so. 

Amid the Buffalo Sabres' first playoff run in 15 years, a group of nine friends from South Buffalo have become viral sensations for roller blading to games both in Buffalo and Boston. They call themselves the Blade Gang, and they've become a fan favorite. 

After the Sabres took their first round series, the Blade Gang has become a lucky charm. With Game 1 of the second round set to skate off, Buffalo fans are clamoring to see the good fortunes that comes with the Sabres Blade Gang. 

Here's everything to know about the friends taking Buffalo by storm. 

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Who is the Sabres Blade Gang? 

The Blade Gang is a group of nine childhood friends who travel to games on rollerblades. They began as teammates and show up at every game in matching Sabres uniforms.

The group is back for the playoffs in Buffalo and also traveled to Boston during the Sabres’ opening-round series against the Bruins.

The group is made up of lifelong Sabres fans, including Sean Maloney, Jack Ellis, Danny Maloney, Alex Pawlik, Ian Macvie, Jackson Soto, Luke Soto, Tommy Maloney, and Michael Bollenbacher.

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When did the Sabres Blade Gang start? 

This group of friends are a recent development in Buffalo, first appearing before the start of this year's playoffs. The first known sighting off the group took place before the start of Game 1, where the Sabres took a 4-3 win. 

From there, the Blade Gang has been considered a lucky charm. Even Buffalo's mayor is trying to use them as an asset to boost morale for the Sabres' playoff run. 

“We're also talking to the Blade Gang Guys, to see if we can get them down to city hall and maybe do a skate with them from city hall down to the arena,” said Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan on WBEN Monday. 

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Sabres Blade Gang highlights 

Ahead of Game 5 of the first round at home, the Blade Gang banged the drum in Buffalo. Despite this, the Sabres lost, but fans aren't blaming that on this group of skaters.

Shoutout to the Blade Gang for an EPIC start to tonight's game! 🥁 pic.twitter.com/7rVBudUqEA

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 28, 2026

Since their virality took off, the Blade Gang also got the chance to eat at Chef's Restaurant, a hotspot for Sabres players, with former players such as Michael Peca and Danny Gare. 

They have even begun to have copycats, notably a group of Montreal Canadiens fans. 

Canadien Blade Gang is here
These are guys from Montreal.
They reached out to the Blade Gang because they thought what they were doing in Buffalo is cool and scheduled a game for tonight.#Sabrehood pic.twitter.com/qKwIuoGtGW