Sabres End NHL-Record Playoff Drought, Inspiring Joy Beyond Buffalo

Buffalo's long-awaited return to the postseason after 14 years is celebrated by former players and the broader hockey community.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:40am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Sabres hockey game, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, gold, and white, conveying the energy and excitement of the team's playoff return.The Sabres' long-awaited return to the NHL playoffs inspires joy and excitement across Buffalo and the broader hockey community.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Sabres have ended the NHL's longest playoff drought at 14 years, clinching a division title for the first time since 2007. Former Sabres players like Taylor Hall, Casey Mittelstadt, and Zemgus Girgensons have expressed joy over the team's turnaround, while others like Tyler Myers and Rasmus Ristolainen feel a kinship with the long-suffering Sabres fanbase. The team's resurgence has re-energized the city of Buffalo and the broader hockey world, with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praising the incredible turnaround.

Why it matters

The Sabres' return to the playoffs is a significant moment for the city of Buffalo and the NHL as a whole. Buffalo is a passionate hockey market that has endured years of frustration, and the team's success this season has reignited enthusiasm among the fanbase. The Sabres' turnaround also demonstrates the league's parity and the ability for teams to quickly transform their fortunes, which is important for maintaining interest and competitiveness across the NHL.

The details

After numerous rebuilds, coaching changes, and front office shakeups, the Sabres have finally broken through and clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2011. Led by stars like Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson, Buffalo surged in the second half of the season, going 39-9-4 to finish atop the Atlantic Division. The team's success has been particularly meaningful for former Sabres players who endured the drought, including Taylor Hall, Casey Mittelstadt, and Zemgus Girgensons.

  • The Sabres' last playoff appearance was in 2011, ending a 14-year drought - the longest in NHL history.
  • Buffalo opened this season 11-14-4 before going on a 39-9-4 run to finish atop the Atlantic Division.
  • The Sabres will host the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2026 NHL playoffs this weekend.

The players

Taylor Hall

A former Sabres player who is now with the Carolina Hurricanes. Hall previously said the NHL is better when Buffalo is competitive.

Casey Mittelstadt

A former Sabres player who is now with the Boston Bruins, but still feels happiness for his former teammates in Buffalo.

Zemgus Girgensons

A former Sabres player who spent a decade in Buffalo before signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent two years ago.

Tyler Myers

A former Sabres defenseman who played for the team's most recent playoff series in 2010 and still has a soft spot for the city of Buffalo.

Rasmus Ristolainen

A former Sabres player whose 820 regular season games are the most of any active NHL player without a postseason appearance, until now with the Philadelphia Flyers.

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What they’re saying

“If you're a sports fan, you have a bit of a soft spot for Buffalo. It's nice to see that they've done it the right way this year. They play hard. They play fast. They've committed to playing well on both sides of the puck, and that's the recipe. They're going to be a tough out.”

— Taylor Hall

“Very happy for those guys. I have so many friends there and am really close with the staff, spent a lot of time there. ... I would be lying if I said I don't cheer for them a bit. Good friends, good people and I think they deserve it.”

— Casey Mittelstadt

“There's a lot of talent on that team and they're doing a good job so far. It's just the process of it. You can see the guys have matured a lot. It's just the way they play. They've been playing good hockey, and it's fun to watch.”

— Zemgus Girgensons

What’s next

The Sabres will host the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2026 NHL playoffs this weekend.

The takeaway

The Sabres' return to the playoffs after a 14-year drought has reignited enthusiasm in Buffalo and the broader hockey community. Their turnaround demonstrates the league's parity and the ability for teams to quickly transform their fortunes, which is important for maintaining interest and competitiveness across the NHL.