NHL news: Sabres end longest active playoff drought in league history
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The Buffalo Sabers did it.
They ended the longest playoff drought in NHL history on Saturday.
The Sabers clinched their first playoff berth since 2011 with the New York Rangers beating the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon.
There had been a long run of bad hockey in Buffalo before this season. Only once in the last 14 seasons have they been able to score over 90 points 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 on March 31, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (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 picks twice and being picked in the top 10 in 11 different drafts.
It looked like this season would be no different than any other, as the team started with an 11-14-4 record in early December. However, the team went on a 10-game winning streak after beating the Edmonton Oilers.
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Buffalo Sabers defenseman Mattias Samuelsson celebrates scoring a goal with his teammates on the bench during the second period against the Ottawa Senators on April 2, 2026 in Ottawa, Canada. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
After winning the third game of that series, they fired general manager Kevyn Adams and hired Jarmo Kekäläinen. Since hiring Kekäläinen, the Sabers are an NHL-best 32-8-4.
Even though the team is guaranteed to make the playoffs, the Sabers still need to play for a playoff berth.
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Buffalo Sabers center Tage Thompson celebrates scoring a goal with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the third period against the New York Islanders on March 31, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP Photo)
They are currently tied for first place 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 Group, are right behind them with 98 points.
The Sabers will face the Washington Capitals on Saturday night at 7 p.m. to strengthen their playoff seeding.
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