HIGHLIGHTS
- Buffalo clinches first playoff berth since 2011, ending the longest drought in NHL history at 14 seasons
- The Rangers’ 4-1 win over Detroit, featuring a Gabe Perreault hat trick, punched the Sabres’ ticket before they even hit the ice Saturday
- Read below for the full story on the turnaround, key quotes, and what comes next for Buffalo
The longest playoff drought in NHL history is officially over. The Buffalo Sabres clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday, their first postseason appearance since April 2011.
Buffalo didn’t even need to play to get in. The New York Rangers took care of business with a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the afternoon, and that was enough to eliminate any mathematical chance of the Sabres missing the postseason. Rangers rookie Gabe Perreault potted a hat trick. Almost fittingly, a guy named Perreault helped send Buffalo to the playoffs.
The drought spanned 14 seasons and 5,471 days. No NHL franchise had ever gone that long without playoff hockey. The Sabres hadn’t finished higher than fifth in their division since 2011-12, cycling through coaches, GMs, and high draft picks with nothing to show for it. Sam Reinhart left. Jack Eichel forced his way out. Ryan O’Reilly told everyone he’d lost his love of the game in Buffalo.
This year’s turnaround was one for the history books. Back on Dec. 8, Buffalo sat at 11-14-4 and dead last in the Eastern Conference. GM Kevyn Adams was let go and Jarm Kekalainen took over. Since that shakeup, the Sabres have posted an NHL-best 35-8-4 record and racked up 68 points, the most in the league over that stretch.
Forward Alex Tuch made it clear this group isn’t just happy to be here.
“Everybody’s coming in trying to prove themselves, and we’re trying to prove as a team that we’re legit,” Tuch told ESPN. “We’re not just going to go for the playoffs. We’re going to go for the Cup and that’s our goal. Get better each and every day. That’s it. That’s the end goal. We’re not in here just to squeak in.”
I can’t argue with that kind of confidence from a team sitting at 46-22-8 with 100 points, tied with Tampa Bay for first in the Atlantic Division. Tage Thompson leads the way with 78 points (38 goals, 40 assists), while captain Rasmus Dahlin has 67 points from the blue line. Thirteen skaters have at least 10 goals. Alex Tuch has 29 of his own.
Goalie Alex Lyon summed up the vibe in the room last week.
“I think we try to take a lot of pride in just representing the crest well, and that’s been fun and the city has been great,” Lyon told ESPN.
Buffalo still has six games left in the regular season and visits the Washington Capitals later Saturday night. The Sabres aren’t playing for survival anymore. They’re playing for home ice and a shot at something much bigger. After 14 years, I’d expect nothing less.
