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The Buffalo Sabers have done it.
They ended the longest playoff drought in NHL history on Saturday.
With the New York Rangers’ 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, the Sabers clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2011.
It’s been a long stretch of bad hockey in Buffalo prior to this season. Just once in the past 14 seasons have they had more than 90 points once in a season.
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Buffalo Sabers defenseman Bowen Byram and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson celebrate Byram’s empty-net goal in the third period against the New York Islanders in Buffalo, New York on March 31, 2026. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP Photo)
They have been a mainstay at the top of the NHL draft, owning the respective No. 1 and No. 2 selections twice, while having a top 10 pick in 11 different drafts.
In early December, it appeared that this season would be no different than the others as the team started with an 11-14-4 record. However, the team rattled off a 10-game winning streak after beating the Edmonton Oilers.
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Buffalo Sabers defenseman Mattias Samuelsson celebrates his goal with his teammates on the bench during the second period against the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa, Canada, April 2, 2026. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
After winning the third game of that streak, they fired general manager Kevyn Adams and hired Jarmo Kekäläinen. Since hiring Kekäläinen, the Sabers have gone an NHL-best 32-8-4.
While the team has clinched a playoff spot, the Sabers still have to play for playoff seeding.
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Buffalo Sabers center Tage Thompson celebrates his goal with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the third period against the New York Islanders in Buffalo, New York on March 31, 2026. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP Photo)
They are currently tied for first in the Atlantic Division with the Tampa Bay Lightning as they each have 100 points, but the Sabers have played one more game. The Montreal Canadiens, currently in third place in the Atlantic Division, are right behind them with 98 points.
The Sabers will face the Washington Capitals at 7:00 PM ET on Saturday night as they look to bolster their playoff seeding.
