{"id":537131,"date":"2026-04-02T19:42:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T19:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/537131\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T19:42:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T19:42:28","slug":"buffalo-sabres-can-end-nhls-record-playoff-drought-at-14-years-with-a-win-over-ottawa-senators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/537131\/","title":{"rendered":"Buffalo Sabres can end NHL\u2019s record playoff drought at 14 years with a win over Ottawa Senators"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Buffalo Sabres<\/a> 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<\/a> (2001-11).<\/p>\n

The Sabres will punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Ottawa Senators<\/a> in any fashion on Thursday. Buffalo can also clinch with a point against the Senators if the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> defeat the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> and the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Viewers in the Senators region can watch Thursday\u2019s game against the Wild LIVE on TSN5 at 7 p.m. E.T.<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Buffalo last reached the playoffs in 2011, during current head coach Lindy Ruff<\/a>\u2019s first stint with the team. Ruff rejoined the Sabres in 2024 after 12 years away, going 36-39-7 last season. <\/p>\n

\u201cLindy\u2019s done a great job keeping their team above water probably mentally, is my guess,\u201d Senators head coach Travis Green<\/a> said Thursday. \u201cIt\u2019s funny when a team gets confidence and starts to roll, the belief in your team really becomes obvious and I\u2019m sure their confidence is really high right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buffalo has a chance to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in 15 seasons tonight vs the #Sens<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Travis Green praised Lindy Ruff’s coaching, “Lindy\u2019s done a great job keeping their team above water probably mentally, is my guess. It\u2019s funny when a team gets confidence and\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Claire Hanna (@clahanna) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/a> for first in the Atlantic Division with one more game played and is tied with the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> for first in the conference, also with an additional game played. <\/p>\n

The Detroit Red Wings<\/a> currently have the NHL\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n

In addition to the Sabres, the Lightning, Minnesota Wild<\/a> also have chances to clinch their playoff spots Thursday and join the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> and Dallas Stars<\/a> as confirmed participants.<\/p>\n