Buffalo Sabres End NHL's Longest Playoff Drought

The Sabres clinch a postseason berth for the first time since 2011, ending a 14-year drought.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 8:56pm

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The Buffalo Sabres have clinched a playoff berth for the first time since the 2010-11 season, ending the longest active playoff drought in the NHL at 14 years. The Sabres' streak was the second-longest active playoff drought across major North American sports leagues, behind only the 15-year drought of the NFL's New York Jets.

Why it matters

The Sabres' lengthy playoff drought had become a source of frustration for the team's fans, who had not seen their team compete in the postseason since the 2010-11 season. The end of the drought represents a significant milestone for the organization and a potential turning point as they look to build on this season's success.

The details

The Sabres clinched their playoff spot on Saturday, April 4, 2026, after the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings. Buffalo had a chance to clinch the playoff berth on their own on Thursday night, but lost to the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres' 14-season drought was the longest in NHL history, and they rarely even came close to reaching the postseason during that span. However, the team went on a 10-game winning streak starting in December, helping them surge up the standings and secure a playoff spot.

  • The Sabres last made the playoffs in the 2010-11 season.
  • The Sabres clinched a playoff berth on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The Sabres had a chance to clinch the playoff spot on their own on Thursday, April 2, 2026, but lost to the Ottawa Senators.

The players

Buffalo Sabres

An NHL team based in Buffalo, New York that had the longest active playoff drought in the league at 14 seasons until clinching a postseason berth in 2026.

Detroit Red Wings

An NHL team based in Detroit, Michigan that now holds the longest active playoff drought in the league at 9 seasons after the Sabres ended their 14-year drought.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Sabres' long-awaited return to the playoffs represents a significant milestone for the franchise and its fans, who have endured one of the longest postseason droughts in major North American sports. The team's turnaround this season, including a midseason coaching change, has set the stage for what could be a promising playoff run and a new era of Sabres hockey.