DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen 17 looks on as players warm up before the AFC Divisional Round game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 17 AFC Divisional Round Bills at Broncos EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon132260117133
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen 17 looks on as players warm up before the AFC Divisional Round game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 17 AFC Divisional Round Bills at Broncos EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon132260117133
Superstition has been part of sports for many years. Something similar happened during Game 2 between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins when Josh Allen came to support the Sabres.
After that loss, fans jokingly started saying that Allen had jinxed the team. Polymarket Sports ignited the debate further when they tweeted the stat that the Sabres "have a 100% win rate without him this year."
However, NHL star Matthew Tkachuk didn't have the same opinion as the fans. He openly defended Allen and dismissed the superstitious talk.
“Yeah, for sure. Those guys, they get the crowd going more than anybody. It’s all about momentum. You get the biggest dog in the city to get that place shaken. I don’t believe in superstitions like that”, said Matthew Tkachuk.
via X (@BuffaloSabres)
via X (@BuffaloSabres)
The Stanley Cup playoffs 2026 have seen quite a few competitive games till now. And the Buffalo Sabres, who are playing the Boston Bruins in the first round, are leading the series 2-1 at the moment after the first three games.
The only game the Sabres lost in the first round was when the Bills quarterback, Josh Allen, came as a fan to witness the game in the building. He was supporting the Sabres and led the ‘Let’s go Buffalo’ chants.
Despite the chatter online, players and analysts made it clear that superstition has no place in professional sports performance.
Buffalo Sabres Leading the Series 2-1
The Buffalo Sabres are leading in the best-of-seven series 2-1. They won the first game 4-3 before losing Game 2 by 4-2. They were back to winning ways when they got the better of the Bruins 3-1 in Game 3.
The hockey community did not take this jinx theory seriously. The real focus remained on the team’s performance, momentum, and gameplay.
Josh Allen’s visit was seen as positive fan support. And the jinx talk was never a serious allegation. It was simply a source of fun and light-hearted humor.
The next game is in Boston on April 26, 2026. So it will be a challenge for the Sabres to beat the home team.
They will look to continue the momentum. And if they came out victorious, the chances of them winning the series will go high.
With the series still competitive, the Sabres remained focused on their mission to advance, leaving the superstition debate behind and turning their attention back to hockey.
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason