As March arrives, the NHL playoff race is heating up, and the Sabres are in the thick of it.
The Sabres are in second place in the Atlantic Division. With 22 games remaining, each point is crucial.
Sabres’ Position and Playoff Implications
The Sabres enter tonight’s home game against the Golden Knights. Their current three-game winning streak has given them some cushion in the playoff field, as they’re seven points ahead of Washington. Washington are the closest non-playoff team.
Eight teams from the Eastern Conference will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The format is a set bracket that is largely division-based with wild cards.
The top three teams in each division will make up the first six teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The remaining two spots will be filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference (wild cards), based on regular-season record and regardless of division.
Key Games to Watch
Tonight’s slate features eight games that could have Eastern Conference playoff implications. These include a pair of late-night options involving Atlantic Division rivals.
Here’s a look at some key games and their implications:
- Golden Knights vs. Sabres: The Sabres can extend their winning streak to four games and inch closer to first place in the division with help from the Lightning.
- Penguins vs. Bruins: Both of these teams are in playoff spots (the Penguins second in the Metropolitan, the Bruins in the second wild card).
- Red Wings vs. Flyers: The Sabres beat these two teams consecutively coming out of the Olympic break, which contributed to both having their playoff hopes on life support.
- Mammoth vs. Capitals: The Capitals are still the closest non-playoff team to the Sabres with 69 points. A Mammoth win here, combined with a Sabres win, would extend the Sabres’ cushion even more.
- Blue Jackets vs. Ducks: The Blue Jackets are the best non-playoff team in terms of points percentage. They’re eight points back from the Sabres, but with a game in hand.
- Senators vs. Devils: The Senators are still in the mix thanks to a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games, five points out of the second wild card.
- Lightning vs. Panthers: The Sabres moved within four points of the first-place Lightning with their win in Tampa. The Lightning, however, have two games in hand.
- Canadiens vs. Sharks: The Sabres hold second place in the Atlantic Division in terms of points, but the Canadiens still have a slightly better points percentage.
Eastern Conference Playoff Qualification
Eight teams from the Eastern Conference will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The format is a set bracket that is largely division-based with wild cards.
The top three teams in each division will make up the first six teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The remaining two spots will be filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference (wild cards), based on regular-season record and regardless of division.
Bookmark this page for updated standings and games to watch for the remainder of the 2025-26 playoff race.