The playoffs are coming to KeyBank Center, but the Sabres’ first-round opponent is far from settled.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres are entering a new — and vastly different — chapter in franchise history.
They hit the 100-point mark earlier this week. They’ve clinched their first Stanley Cup postseason berth since 2011. They’re also in contention to win the Atlantic Division and maybe even secure home ice throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, if everything breaks just right.
So, what happens between now and Wednesday, April 15, when Buffalo hosts Dallas in the regular-season finale at KeyBank Center? The playoffs would start days later, that weekend.
Here’s what you need to know while waiting for the return of postseason hockey later this month.
The race for the Atlantic Division
The Sabres are attempting to overtake the Tampa Bay Lightning atop the division standings. Only one other team in the Eastern Conference has reached the century mark, and that’s the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes at 102 going into Saturday’s games.
If the Sabres can win the division, they would face a wild card team in the first round. Those teams, at this moment, would be the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Also in contention are the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals.
The race within the division
Should the Sabres fall short of winning the division, a first-round series featuring the second and third-place teams in the Atlantic awaits. If the season were to end today, that would mean Buffalo would have home ice against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Bruins (94 points) trailed third-place Montreal (98) by four points in the division at the start of the day on Saturday.