Buffalo Sabres End 14-Year Playoff Drought

0:00It's April 5th, NHL News. Today starts now, AI-powered and game ready. I'm Cory with the story. The Buffalo Sabers finally punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup playoffs, ending a 14-season drought, the longest in NHL history. They clinched it Saturday when the Detroit Red Wings lost 4-1 to the New York Rangers. But the celebration got overshadowed by a rough 6-2 defeat to the Washington capitals right after. Earlier this week, the Sabers had stumbled in a 4-1 loss to Ottawa, and they came out flat against the caps, trailing 3-0 early. They've only won 2 of their last 7 games after a hot streak of 12 wins in 13. Still, with a 46, 23, and 8 record, they're right in the mix. Players like Alex Touch and Captain Rasmus Dalin couldn't hide their pride for the city and the grinders who stuck it out. Coach Don Ruff echoed that, shouting out the owners, fans, and staff. Touch Thompson admitted they'd been too casual against desperate teams lately.

1:00A mid-season shake-up helped turn things around. After starting 11-14-4, they swapped general managers on December 15th, and haven't lost back to back in regulation since. Now they're tied with Montreal for second in the division, two points behind Tampa Bay, and just four back of Carolina for the Eastlead. With five games left, starting Monday against the Lightning, the Sabers know making the playoffs is just step one. They got a sharpen up, mashed that playoff intensity, and chased home ice if they want to build something real, in Buffalo.