The Buffalo Sabres are on the cusp of ending their 14-year playoff drought, which is an NHL record – four years longer than the previous record held by the Florida Panthers (2001-11).
The Sabres will punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Ottawa Senators in any fashion on Thursday. Buffalo can also clinch with a point against the Senators if the Philadelphia Flyers defeat the Detroit Red Wings and the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Sabres seemed on track to miss the playoffs once again this year as the team sat last in the Eastern Conference in December before going on a 10-game win streak and posting a total record of 35-7-4 since that streak began on Dec. 8.
Buffalo last reached the playoffs in 2011, during current head coach Lindy Ruff’s first stint with the team. Ruff rejoined the Sabres in 2024 after 12 years away, going 36-39-7 last season.
“Lindy’s done a great job keeping their team above water probably mentally, is my guess,” Senators head coach Travis Green said Thursday. “It’s funny when a team gets confidence and starts to roll, the belief in your team really becomes obvious and I’m sure their confidence is really high right now.”
Buffalo has a chance to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in 15 seasons tonight vs the #Sens.
Travis Green praised Lindy Ruff’s coaching, “Lindy’s done a great job keeping their team above water probably mentally, is my guess. It’s funny when a team gets confidence and…
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) April 2, 2026
Buffalo is not only on the verge on clinching their playoff spot, but the team is also fighting to win the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo has a two-point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning for first in the Atlantic Division with one more game played and is tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for first in the conference, also with an additional game played.
The Detroit Red Wings currently have the NHL’s second-longest active playoff drought at nine seasons. After sitting in a postseason spot for most of the season, the Red Wings are fight with the Senators, among other clubs, for the final wild-card spot in the East.
In addition to the Sabres, the Lightning, Minnesota Wild also have chances to clinch their playoff spots Thursday and join the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars as confirmed participants.