Sabres Playoff Picture Clearer After Saturday

Buffalo can clinch home ice with one win in final two games

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:12am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with players and the puck abstracted into angular, interlocking shapes in navy, green, and red.The Sabres' playoff positioning takes shape through a cubist lens, as the team's postseason path becomes clearer.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Sabres have a chance to clinch home ice advantage in the first round of the NHL playoffs after Saturday's results. The Sabres lead the Atlantic Division with 106 points, while the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens both have 104 points with two games left. If the Sabres win one of their final two games or the Canadiens lose on Sunday, Buffalo will secure home ice.

Why it matters

Clinching home ice advantage in the playoffs is a significant milestone for the Sabres, who are looking to make a deep postseason run after several years of missing the playoffs. Home ice can provide a significant boost, especially in a tight divisional matchup.

The details

On Saturday, the Lightning beat the Bruins 2-1, the Canadiens lost to the Blue Jackets 5-2, and the Hurricanes defeated the Mammoth 4-1. This means the Sabres can clinch home ice with one win in their final two games against the Blackhawks and Stars. The Lightning and Canadiens also have two games left, so the Sabres' magic number is down to one.

  • The Sabres have been idle on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
  • The Sabres play the Blackhawks on Monday and the Stars on Wednesday.
  • The Canadiens play the Islanders on Sunday.
  • The Lightning play the Red Wings and Rangers in their final two games.

The players

Buffalo Sabres

The NHL team based in Buffalo, New York, currently leading the Atlantic Division with 106 points.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The NHL team based in Tampa, Florida, currently in second place in the Atlantic Division with 104 points.

Montreal Canadiens

The NHL team based in Montreal, Quebec, currently in third place in the Atlantic Division with 104 points.

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What’s next

If the Sabres win one of their final two games or the Canadiens lose on Sunday, Buffalo will clinch home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Sabres are in a strong position to secure home ice advantage in the playoffs, which could provide a significant boost in their quest for a deep postseason run. Their remaining schedule sets them up well to clinch this important milestone.