Buffalo Sabres End NHL-Record 14-Year Playoff Drought
The Buffalo Sabres clinched their first playoff spot in 14 years on Saturday. They ended the longest playoff drought in NHL history when the New York Rangers beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1.
The Buffalo Sabres are going to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2011. The team clinched their playoff spot on Saturday when the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 in regulation.
The Sabres broke an NHL record for the longest playoff drought at 14 seasons. During this stretch of futility, the team never finished better than 19th place in the league standings.
Buffalo's last playoff appearance came in 2011, when many of today's fans were still children. The drought became an embarrassing symbol for the franchise and the city.
The Sabres didn't even need to play to clinch their spot. They secured it while other teams' results fell their way. This marks a dramatic turnaround for a franchise that has struggled for more than a decade.
Buffalo fans can now look forward to meaningful hockey games in April and beyond for the first time in 14 years.
This is huge for Buffalo sports fans who have waited over a decade to see their hockey team compete for the Stanley Cup. The Sabres had become a symbol of futility in professional sports.
The Sabres will learn their playoff matchup when the regular season ends and seeding is finalized.
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