Sabres clinch playoff spot, end longest drought in NHL history
ESPN • • general
Key Points:
- The Buffalo Sabres ended an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought, clinching a postseason berth with six games remaining in the regular season, following a New York Rangers win over the Detroit Red Wings.
- After a dismal start to the season, the Sabres surged to a 46-22-8 record, propelled by a franchise-record 10-0 winning streak following the promotion of GM Jarmo Kekalainen in mid-December.
- Key players driving the turnaround include captain Rasmus Dahlin, ranking sixth among NHL defensemen in points, and forward Tage Thompson, tied for 11th in goals, alongside improved health and goaltending depth.
- The Sabres have not won a playoff series since 2007 and aim to capitalize on renewed fan enthusiasm, marked by a significant increase in home sellouts compared to last season.
- Buffalo's resilience is evident in their 19 come-from-behind victories this season, showcasing a team capable of overcoming deficits as they prepare for postseason competition.
