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Buffalo Sabres Clinch a Playoff Spot to End the Longest Drought in NHL History

On Saturday, April 4, 2026, the Buffalo Sabres clinched their first NHL playoff berth since 2010-11, officially ending a league-record 14-season postseason drought after the Detroit Red Wings lost in regulation.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen took over on Dec. 15 after the team fired general manager Kevyn Adams. Buffalo has since surged to a 32-8-4 record under the new leadership, turning around the franchise's trajectory.
Bolstering the roster, the team added defenseman Logan Stanley and defenseman Luke Schenn at the trade deadline while goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and goaltender Alex Lyon share starting duties. Captain Rasmus Dahlin and forward Tage Thompson lead the offensive output.
Forward Alex Tuch emphasized the team is not satisfied with just qualifying for the postseason. "We're going to go for the Cup," Tuch said, expressing the team's high ambitions.
While the Sabres have ended their futility, the New York Jets now hold the longest active drought in major North American sports at 15 years. Buffalo remains in contention for the Atlantic Division title and the Eastern Conference's top seed.

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