Without question, the biggest storyline heading into the NHL season’s stretch drive are the Buffalo Sabres bid to prove the critics wrong by ending their ugly 14 year-playoff drought.
Breaking Down the Buffalo Sabres Success in 2026
No one in Buffalo deserves what’s happening with their team more than the passionate, die-hard Sabres fans who, for years, have had to endure not only non-playoff springs but also heartbreak off the ice when, in 2015, they had a legitimate shot at drafting star forward Connor McDavid but lost the draft lottery. As hockey fans know, the Sabres still got an exceptional player with the second overall pick in forward Jack Eichel, but after a few seasons, he wanted out of Buffalo and was subsequently traded to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Buffalo, who last participated in a playoff game back in April 2011, when they lost in the opening round to the Philadelphia Flyers, also experienced over the last number of years such events as seeing their 2014 2nd overall pick, forward Sam Reinhart eventually get traded to the Florida Panthers, where he turns in a career best 57 goals and 94 points in a season. The disappointment of course for the fans and organization was that he didn’t produce those numbers in a Sabres uniform.
Fans have also been frustrated over the years with underachieving 1st round draft picks such as forwards Casey Mittelstadt chosen by Buffalo 8th overall in 2017 and a year earlier, forward Alex Nylander who was picked 8th overall.
Back in the COVID shortened 2020-21 season, Sabres fans had reason to feel optimistic after the club signed on October 11, 2020, former Edmonton Oilers 2010 1st overall selection, forward Taylor Hall. Buffalo also had smooth skating offensive minded defenceman Brandon Montour along with key veterans Eric Staal and Kyle Okposo but once again the fans were left disappointed. Hall only scored 2 goals and 19 points in 37 games and the Sabres missed the playoff dance by only 1 point.
Last year, after missing the playoffs by 12 points, the media picked them in the fall to extend that longest playoff drought in NHL history. The Sabres definitely opened eyes around the league when back in December, they went on a 10 games winning streak. Keyed by a much improved power-play, scoring depth, a standout season from star forward Tage Thompson, and their young players blossoming, the Sabres enter the first week of March on a four game winning streak and second in the Atlantic Division with 78 points which puts them for now comfortably in a playoff spot.
Buffalo’s Youth Taking Big Step Forward
This has been a breakthrough season for the Sabres young players who have taken that next step in their progression.
Among those who has really impressed this year is 24 year-old forward Josh Doan who last summer was part of a trade which saw him traded from the Utah Mammoth in a multi-player deal to the Sabres in exchange for forward JJ Peterka. Doan came into this season having produced 12 goals and 28 points in 62 games. This season, Doan has scored 18 goals and 40 points while tallying 23 PIM’s in 61 games.
Another young forward having a strong season is 24 year-old Jack Quinn who has scored 12 goals while producing 38 points and a plus/minus of +4.
Zach Benson, who is only 20 years-old, has also taken a step forward by not only scoring 7 goals and 27 points in only 44 games, but playing strong defense which has him holding down an impressive plus/minus of +16. During his first two seasons, Benson has never been a plus player.
Sabres Getting Depth Scoring
The Sabres are once again led by Thompson who leads the offence with 33 goals and 64 points. What makes them such a dangerous team is the scoring depth which includes veteran forwards Alex Tuch‘s 52 points (24 goals, 28 points, +16), Ryan McLeod‘s 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists. +21), Jason Zucker 30 points (16 goals, 14 assists) and Peyton Krebs 29 points (9 goals, 20 assists, +6). Also adding great offensive depth is former Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris who has scored eight goals and 20 points in only 23 games this year.
Solid Defence in BuffaloÂ
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff emphasizes strong defence which is a big reason for their successful season.
The team’s blueline, which consists of three stud players in captain Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Bowen Byram is about to get even better as they are on the verge of making a trade with the St. Louis Blues with veteran 32 year-old defenceman Colton Parayko.
Parayko, who in 2019 won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis, brings veteran leadership, can log over 20 minutes of ice time per game and with his cannon shot, can be a huge asset on the power play. Parayko is having an off-year which has seen him produce only 1 goal along with 14 points and a plus/minus of -14 in 58 games. A change of scenery would be good for him and would certainly make Buffalo’s blueline that much better. Sabres fans are just crossing their fingers and hoping the deal goes through.
Meanwhile Dahlin, who doesn’t mind being physical is having a great year leads the defense with 53 points (12 goals, 41 assists) while Byram, who has 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) is a +11 while Power, who was a -13 last year, has improved to +3 on the season.
Arguably, the most underrated Sabre has to be shot blocking defenceman Mattias Samuelsson who likes to dish out hits and along with producing 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) is a +29.
This is a special time for the Sabres organization and the fanbase as they have waited so long for something good to happen. If they make the playoffs and it looks like they will, it will be the biggest feel good storyline of this NHL season.
Main Image: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
