The Buffalo Sabres have officially put together one of the best comeback stories in the NHL this season. The 2025-26 season is now over, and the Sabres are not just heading to the playoffs; they are going in as Atlantic Division champions. After a 14-season drought, the city of Buffalo finally has a banner to celebrate, which is massive for the city of Buffalo.
Here is the latest news and rumours as the Sabres get ready for the postseason.
The Jarmo & Lindy Effect?
The turnaround in Buffalo has been pretty remarkable. On December 15, the team was sitting near the bottom of the league, which led to the firing of general manager Kevyn Adams. Since Jarmo Kekäläinen stepped in and Lindy Ruff leaned fully into his “team-first” mindset, Buffalo has gone an incredible 39-9-4.
Related: 3 Aspects the Sabres Need to Clean up in the Playoffs
This run has been driven by Tage Thompson, who just hit the 40-goal mark for the second straight season, and captain Rasmus Dahlin, who leads the team with 55 assists. You can feel the shift in the room a bit, too. The veteran presence is finally clicking with the younger group, like Owen Power and Bowen Byram. The Sabres head into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference, coming all the way back from an eight-point gap in December to win the division.
First Round Matchup Set Against the Boston Bruins
With the regular season over, the bracket is now set in the East. The Sabres will face the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This will be the ninth time these two divisional rivals meet in the postseason, and while Boston has usually had the edge, this one feels a little different.
The Sabres will have home-ice advantage for the first time in over a decade. KeyBank Center should be loud for Game 1, with a fanbase that has been waiting a long time to see playoff hockey again. The Bruins are still a dangerous, experienced group led by David Pastrnak, but Buffalo has been the better team over the last few months. This feels like one of those series that could get heavy and maybe even a bit nasty at times.
What’s Next for the Sabres
The Sabres have finished their 2025-26 regular season and are now setting their sights on the playoffs. As mentioned above, they know who their first round opponent is.
Related: Raz’s Series Predictions: 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1 (Eastern Conference)
Now, they are just waiting for the dates and times. While they wait, it’s important for them to get some rest and mentally prepare for the grind that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
