Buffalo Hockey Player NYT Mini Crossword Clue Answer Explained (Oct. 31 Mini)

The New York Times Mini Crossword for Friday, October 31, 2025, included a fun Halloween-themed twist — and one clue in particular got players thinking: the “Buffalo hockey player” crossword clue. The correct answer to this NYT Mini clue is SABRE.

The five-letter answer refers to the NHL team based in Buffalo, New York — the Buffalo Sabres. The clue appeared as 1-Across in today’s puzzle, and many solvers found it to be one of the easier entries in an otherwise creatively spooky grid that featured the word “BOO!” embedded across multiple answers.

NYT Mini Crossword October 31, 2025 – Key Highlights

The Halloween edition of the NYT Mini Crossword was packed with festive surprises. Puzzle writer Gael Cooper noted that the puzzle incorporated the word “BOO!” twice within the grid — once helping form “CABOOSE” and again in “BUGABOO.” This clever touch made the small-format crossword a seasonal favorite among solvers.

The “Buffalo hockey player” clue tied into the overall sports theme that occasionally appears in Mini Crossword puzzles. Sports clues like this one often test general knowledge about U.S. teams, players, and nicknames rather than requiring deep trivia expertise.

Breakdown of Other Across and Down Answers

Other clues in today’s puzzle included everyday expressions and logical connections. “I’ll have the ___” was answered as USUAL, while “Contents of a volcano” was MAGMA. The final Across clues — “CA” and “SE” — combined with “BOO!” to form CABOOSE, a fitting wordplay for the holiday theme.

In the Down section, “Poison shrub” referred to SUMAC, “Carne ___” filled as ASADA, and “Imaginary cause of fear” was BUGA (which used “BOO!” again to create BUGABOO). These inventive uses of shared letters gave the grid a memorable and interactive feel.

Why “Sabre” Fits the Clue Perfectly

The word SABRE directly references the NHL franchise Buffalo Sabres, established in 1970. The team’s name draws inspiration from the sword known as a sabre — symbolizing both power and speed, attributes associated with hockey. Therefore, “Buffalo hockey player” works neatly as a clue for the singular form “SABRE.”

This approach — using a team name’s singular form to describe an individual player — is common in crossword puzzles. It’s a clever linguistic shortcut that crossword constructors often use, making “SABRE” a textbook example of NYT Mini-style clue precision.

In short, the answer “SABRE” ties sports knowledge, local geography, and wordplay into one neat clue, making it both accessible and satisfying for solvers.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the answer to the “Buffalo hockey player” NYT Crossword clue?

The correct answer is SABRE.

Q2: What team does “SABRE” refer to?

It refers to the Buffalo Sabres, the NHL team based in Buffalo, New York.

Q3: What was the theme of the October 31 NYT Mini Crossword?

The puzzle featured a Halloween theme with the word “BOO!” embedded in several answers.

Q4: Who creates the NYT Mini Crossword?

The Mini Crossword is part of The New York Times Games, with contributions from various constructors and editors such as Joel Fagliano.

Q5: What other clues appeared in the Oct. 31, 2025 Mini Crossword?

Other notable clues included “Contents of a volcano” (MAGMA) and “Adjust to a new environment” (ADAPT).