NHL

Sabres’ Performance Offers Hope to End Record NHL Playoff Drought

For the past 14 NHL seasons, the Atlantic Division Buffalo Sabres haven’t qualified for Stanley Cup postseason participation—a league record.
Sabres’ Performance Offers Hope to End Record NHL Playoff Drought
Noah Ostlund (86) of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Canada on Dec. 23, 2025. Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Donald Laible
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There are signs of light at the end of the tunnel for the Buffalo Sabres in their quest to become a playoff contender.

If you’re the Sabres, every accomplishment needs to be celebrated. Going into the Christmas break, the Western New York-based team flew home Tuesday evening from Ottawa on a high note. The 3–2 overtime win, their 18th victory in the season’s first 36 games, allows the NHL’s youngest team to remain positive during the holiday season.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.