Rejoice, Buffalo Sabres fans. The drought is finally over.
The Sabres are heading back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2010-11. Buffalo clinched a postseason berth as a result of the Detroit Red Wings' loss to the New York Rangers in regulation Saturday.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 4, 2026
The outcome marks the end of Buffalo's 14-year playoff drought, which was the longest in NHL history. It was also the second-longest active postseason drought among the four major sports leagues in North America, trailing only the NFL's New York Jets, who have missed the postseason in 15 straight campaigns.
The NHL's longest active playoff drought now belongs to the Red Wings, who have fallen short of the postseason each of the last nine years. However, Detroit remains in the playoff race this season despite Saturday's loss.
Lindy Ruff, who's in his second stint as Buffalo's head coach, was behind the bench when the team last went to the playoffs during the 2010-11 campaign. Buffalo lost in seven games to the Philadelphia Flyers in Round 1 that year.
The Sabres, who entered the league in 1970-71, have never won a Stanley Cup.
The Tampa Bay Lightning also punched their playoff ticket following Detroit's loss. The Lightning and Sabres are tied atop the Atlantic Division with 100 points each, though both teams have yet to play their respective games Saturday.
