NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The Buffalo Sabers have done it.
On Saturday they ended the longest playoff drought in NHL history.
With the New York Rangers’ 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, the Sabers clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2011.
There has been a long stretch of bad hockey in Buffalo leading up to this season. Only once in the last 14 seasons have they scored more than 90 points once in a season.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Buffalo Sabers defenseman Bowen Byram and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson celebrate Byram’s empty-net goal during the third period against the New York Islanders in Buffalo, New York, on March 31, 2026. (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 a top-10 pick in 11 different drafts.
In early December, it seemed like this season would be no different than any other, as the team started with an 11-14-4 record. However, the team went on a 10-game winning streak after beating the Edmonton Oilers.
JACK HUGHES SHOWS A NEW SMILE IN THE YANKEES’ HOME OPENER AFTER LOSING TEETH IN THE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL GAME
Buffalo Sabers defenseman Mattias Samuelsson celebrates his goal with his teammates on the bench during the second period against the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa, Canada, on April 2, 2026. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
After winning the third game of that streak, they fired general manager Kevyn Adams and hired Jarmo Kekäläinen. Since hiring Kekäläinen, the Sabers have had an NHL-best 32-8-4 record.
While the team has clinched a playoff spot, the Sabers still have to play to qualify for the playoffs.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Buffalo Sabers center Tage Thompson celebrates his goal with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during the third period against the New York Islanders in Buffalo, New York, on March 31, 2026. (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 third in the Atlantic Division, follow with 98 points.
The Sabers will face the Washington Capitals at 7 pm ET on Saturday night as they look to bolster their playoff seeding.
