Sabres Clinch Playoff Spot with Comeback Win Over Rangers

Buffalo's first postseason berth since 2010-11 caps remarkable turnaround season

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:34pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting with sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant blues, golds, and reds, capturing the raw energy and drama of the Sabres' comeback victory over the Rangers.The Sabres' dramatic comeback win over the Rangers showcases the team's resilience and potential as a rising force in the NHL.Columbus Today

The Buffalo Sabres overcame a 3-2 deficit in the third period to defeat the New York Rangers 5-3 on Wednesday night, securing their first playoff appearance in 14 years. The win capped a remarkable turnaround season for the Sabres, who missed the playoffs the previous 14 years but now have 104 points, just two behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.

Why it matters

The Sabres' return to the playoffs is a significant moment for the franchise, which has struggled for over a decade to regain its competitiveness in the NHL. This win showcases the team's resilience and the impact of head coach Lindy Ruff's leadership in guiding the Sabres back to the postseason.

The details

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Sabres taking an early 2-0 lead on goals by Ryan McLeod and Zach Benson. The Rangers responded with two goals from Alexis Lafreniere to tie it at 2-2. Adam Fox put the Rangers ahead 3-2 in the second period, but the Sabres rallied with third-period goals from Jason Zucker and Alex Tuch to secure the victory. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 17 saves to preserve the win.

  • The Sabres' last playoff appearance was in the 2010-11 season.
  • The Sabres missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons before this year.
  • The Sabres have 104 points on the season, just two behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.

The players

Lindy Ruff

The Sabres' head coach, whose leadership has guided the team to its first playoff berth in 14 years.

Ryan McLeod

The Sabres' forward who opened the scoring in the first period.

Zach Benson

The Sabres' forward who scored the team's second goal in the first period.

Alexis Lafreniere

The Rangers' forward who scored two goals to tie the game at 2-2.

Adam Fox

The Rangers' defenseman who scored the go-ahead goal in the second period.

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What’s next

The Sabres will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night, while the Rangers will visit the Dallas Stars to start their season-ending three-game trip. The Sabres' playoff run will be closely watched as they look to make a deep postseason run.

The takeaway

The Sabres' return to the playoffs after a 14-year drought is a testament to the team's resilience and the impact of head coach Lindy Ruff's leadership. This win suggests the Sabres are a team on the rise, and their playoff appearance is a sign of more success to come.