Upstart Sabres, Flyers upend Eastern Conference playoff mix

The Stanley Cup playoff route finally includes a stop in Buffalo for the first time in 15 years.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match, with sharp planes of navy blue, crimson red, and metallic silver representing the various Eastern Conference playoff teams and their competitive spirit.The Eastern Conference playoff field has been upended, with upstart teams like the Sabres and Flyers joining familiar powers in a fractured, competitive landscape.Buffalo City Today

The Eastern Conference playoff picture has seen a significant shakeup, with upstart teams like the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers making the postseason, while traditional powerhouses like the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs have been left out. The Sabres are making their first playoff appearance in 15 years, while the Flyers are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Other new faces in the East include the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins, who are all making return trips to the postseason. Meanwhile, familiar contenders like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes remain at the top of the conference.

Why it matters

The changing of the guard in the Eastern Conference reflects the parity and unpredictability of the NHL playoffs. While the Lightning and Hurricanes remain the teams to beat, the emergence of upstart squads like the Sabres and Flyers adds an exciting new dynamic to the postseason. This shakeup in the playoff picture also highlights the league's competitive balance and the ability for teams to quickly turn their fortunes around, even after lengthy postseason droughts.

The details

The Sabres, led by captain Rasmus Dahlin, are making their first playoff appearance in 15 years after finishing last in the East earlier this season. The Flyers, under first-year coach Rick Tocchet, overcame youth and inconsistencies to become the last East team to clinch a berth, doing so with a 14-4-1 run in the final 22 games. The Senators, who lost to the Maple Leafs in the first round last year, are seeking to build on that experience against the top-seeded Hurricanes. The Bruins, led by first-year coach Marco Sturm, made a 24-point jump in the standings to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

  • The Sabres opened practice with city workers hanging playoff banners on lamp posts leading to the team's arena entrance.
  • The Sabres clinched their first playoff berth in 15 years in early April 2026.
  • The Flyers became the last East team to clinch a playoff spot with a 14-4-1 run in the final 22 games of the regular season.

The players

Rasmus Dahlin

The Sabres' captain, who has been with the team for a long time and is finally getting to experience the playoffs for the first time.

Rick Tocchet

The first-year head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, who helped the team overcome youth and inconsistencies to clinch a playoff berth.

Marco Sturm

The first-year head coach of the Boston Bruins, who led the team to a 24-point jump in the standings to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

Jon Cooper

The head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a two-time Stanley Cup winner who is looking to get his team past the first round for the first time since losing the final to Colorado in 2022.

Seth Jarvis

A forward for the Carolina Hurricanes, who are seeking to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning in 2006.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's a crazy feeling. I've been grinding here for a long time, and I finally get playoffs. It's special. It's something I've tried to do here for a long time. And now it's finally real.”

— Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres captain

“We really try to block it out, I'm not going to lie. There's a lot of negativity, sarcasm. We kind of grew together. We believed. It's hard, because you have to have that thick skin.”

— Rick Tocchet, Flyers head coach

“To get to 100 points is a pretty good testament to what this team put together over the course of the year, but it wasn't easy. It was nerve-racking, but our guys embraced it and they got it done.”

— Don Sweeney, Bruins general manager

“I think after some seasons not being able to do it, I think we appreciate it even more.”

— Sidney Crosby

“Everyone's in the playoffs, and everyone's in a sense the same seed. It's cool to be No. 1, but I don't think it's changed anything within our group. Just have a little more confidence, maybe.”

— Seth Jarvis, Hurricanes forward

What’s next

The Sabres will face the Bruins in the first round, while the Flyers will take on the Penguins. The Hurricanes and Senators, as well as the Lightning and Canadiens, will also meet in the opening round.

The takeaway

The changing of the guard in the Eastern Conference playoff picture reflects the parity and unpredictability of the NHL postseason. While traditional powerhouses have been left out, upstart teams like the Sabres and Flyers have seized the opportunity to make their mark, adding an exciting new dynamic to the race for the Stanley Cup.