The Buffalo Sabres have officially been eliminated from playoff contention — for the 14th straight year — extending the longest active drought in the NHL.
On April 8th, the Sabres shut out the Carolina Hurricanes 3–0. The win over the Hurricanes marked their fifth-consecutive win and seventh victory in their last eight games. But the effort came too little, too late. Just 20 minutes after the final horn in Buffalo, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings. The Canadiens win officially knocked the Sabres out of the playoff race.
Buffalo had been clawing for a miracle with their late-season surge, trying to undo the damage of a brutal midseason stretch where they dropped 13 games in a row. Despite this recent resurgence, the hole proved too deep to dig out of.
Fans are encouraged by the teams recent success, however, the win streak may prove bittersweet. With eight wins in their last 10 games, the Sabres have climbed out of the Eastern Conference basement — hurting their positioning in the 2025 NHL Draft. Just weeks ago, general manager Kevyn Adams would be in control of the fourth overall draft pick. If the season ended today, they’d be drafting seventh, with a strong chance to fall even further with four games remaining.
As the off-season looms, Sabres fans are once again searching for hope. But one fact hangs heavy: in nearly a decade and a half, this fan base has not seen their team in the playoffs. Only the NFL’s New York Jets own a longer active playoff drought in North American professional sports.
What’s Next?
The Sabres late-season push sparked discussions about the team’s leadership and future. Lindy Ruff returned behind the bench. He’s a familiar face from Buffalo’s last era of success. The organization hopes his experience and stability will end the cycle of disappointment.
Ruff, the winningest coach in franchise history, now carries a heavy burden. He’s not just coaching the team. He’s also trying to restore belief to a battered fan base.
Key players like Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson have shown flashes of brilliance. The core is young, talented, and hungry. But questions remain. Is the roster deep enough? Can they rely on consistent goaltending? Is this group ready to take the next step?
The front office faces a critical off-season. They need to make smart moves in both the draft and free agency. The Sabres must break the curse by 2026.
With Ruff back behind the bench, the pressure now shifts to general manager Kevyn Adams. After years of rebuilding and missed opportunities, this off-season could be the most pivotal yet. Buffalo can’t afford another “almost” season. Fans are growing restless, and the window for this young core is opening.
The challenge is clear. The Sabres need to find the right balance. They must add proven veterans without stunting the growth of emerging stars. Goaltending must be shored up. The team needs a culture that turns late-season surges into successful starts.
Until then, Sabres fans will keep doing what they’ve done for 14 years: hope, wait, and believe that next year will be different.
Main Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig- Imagn Images
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