Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen did his part to get the crowd hyped before the Buffalo Sabres hosted Game 2 of their playoff series against the Boston Bruins.
Allen made a surprise appearance at the game on Tuesday, banging the ceremonial drum before the game before crushing a beer. Several other Bills players appeared at Game 1 on Monday, and Allen had hinted that he would be attending the game.
“Josh Allen with the greatest drum of all time!!” the Sabres posted on Instagram.
Josh Allen Gets Fans Hyped
Allen’s appearance garnered a huge reaction from Sabres fans, who were watching just their second playoff game in the last 16 years. While the Bills endured a 17-game playoff drought from 2000 to 2017, the Sabres had their own NHL-record drought that began in 2011 and ended when the team won the Atlantic Division this year.
There had been some hints that Allen would be appearing at Tuesday’s game. Pete Guelli, president of business operations for the Bills and Sabres, built up some anticipation when he hyped a surprise appearance earlier in the week.
“Rolling a special guest out Tuesday just to see if Key Bank Center can get any wilder!” Guelli shared in a post on X, adding an emoji of a drum.
Other Bills players previously shared good wishes for the Sabres, who broke a 16-year playoff drought this year as they won the Atlantic Division.
“Good luck Sabres!” said linebacker Joe Andreessen, who grew up just outside of Buffalo in nearby Lancaster.
“Good luck in the playoffs, Sabres,” linebacker Dorian Williams added.
The Sabres have often supported the Bills through their playoff runs, and Bills safety Damar Hamlin said it’s time to return the favor.
“Appreciate everything ya’ll did, pulling up on us,” Hamlin said. “It’s ya’ll turn to go handle it.”
Allen had appeared at Sabres games in the past, though his appearance on Tuesday failed to motivate the team enough. With a chance to seize a 2-0 series lead, the Sabres fell behind 4-0 before a pair of goals late in the third period. After the 4-2 loss, the Sabres and Bruins head back to Boston for Game 3 tied at one game apiece.
Josh Allen, Teammates Return to Buffalo
Allen and other veteran Bills players were in town this week for voluntary OTAs, the team’s final practices before this week’s NFL draft. Allen is returning from offseason surgery on his foot, which was broken late in the season but not seriously enough to keep the quarterback out of the lineup. Allen played hurt through the final stretch of the season and playoffs, then underwent a procedure to remove a small piece of bone that had broken off.
The Bills will have some important decisions this week, with several roster holes to address through the NFL draft. Experts have predicted the Bills will take a wide receiver or edge rusher with the No. 26 overall pick, but they could also trade back to get more picks.
The draft could also force Sabres fans into a difficult decision, with Game 3 taking place at the same time as the first round.
Bills QB Josh Allen’s Actions at Sabres Appearance Turns Heads