The Buffalo Sabres will attempt to make their long-awaited return to the playoffs at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Their current 14-year postseason drought is the longest in NHL history, and the oddsmakers remain bearish on the team's imminent outlook.
Buffalo made some modest additions throughout the summer, headlined by the arrivals of Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring as part of the blockbuster JJ Peterka trade, but there are real questions about whether enough upgrades were made after missing the playoffs by 12 points last season.
If the Sabres' postseason absence extends to 15 years next spring, there's a high likelihood of wholesale organizational changes across the front office, coaching staff and roster. So, the pressure will be amplified right from the opening puck drop in early October.
All betting lines and odds listed are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Sabres team odds
To win the Stanley Cup: +15000
Buffalo is tied for the fifth-worst championship odds in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers.
To win the Eastern Conference: +7500
The Sabres haven't represented the East in the Stanley Cup Final since 1999.
To win the Atlantic Division: +4000
The Atlantic may be the NHL's toughest division, and it's headlined by the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
To make the NHL playoffs: +280
Having nearly 3-1 odds just to reach the postseason speaks to the oddsmakers' skepticism about the Sabres chances to make some noise this year.
To finish with the fewest points: +3500
Even though Buffalo isn't projected to secure a playoff berth, it also isn't expected to contend for the NHL's worst record.
Over/under point total: 84.5
The Sabres finished with 79 points last season. It took 91 points to earn a playoff spot in 2024-25.
Buffalo player betting lines
Tage Thompson to score 50+ goals: +1100
Thompson posted a career-high 47 goals during the 2022-23 season. He's one of just 12 NHL players to even receive odds to hit the 50-goal milestone.
Alex Tuch to score 40+ goals: +650
Tuch matched his career-best total with 36 goals last season. He also found the net 36 times in 2022-23.
Rasmus Dahlin to score 20+ goals: +175
Dahlin previously hit the 20-goal plateau in 2023-24. The Sabres franchise record by a defenseman is 31 by Phil Housley in 1983-84.
Tage Thompson over/under points: 69.5
Thompson scored 72 points last season and owns a career high of 94.
Rasmus Dahlin over/under points: 69.5
The same betting line as his superstar forward teammate speaks to Dahlin's greatness.
Tage Thompson to win the Rocket Richard Trophy: +1800
Thompson ranks seventh in the odds to finish as the NHL's leading goal scorer.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.