It had been a long few weeks for Buffalo Sabres fans as they awaited the return of the team on the ice after the NHL's Olympic break. It has been even longer since supporters of the organization have watched the team in the postseason.
Nerves have to be high for both the team and the fans as the Sabres are staying inside the Eastern Conference top eight and inching closer to the postseason. It is not that the team isn't in a prime position and has put themselves in the right place for a berth.
The problem is Sabres fans have to be getting nervous after the longest playoff drought in NHL history. The team took steps to assuage that after beating the New Jersey Devils 2-1 upon their return on Wednesday night.
Buffalo Sabres gained two more points in the standings after their first game since the Olympic break
Every two points in the standings is crucial at this stage of the season, and gaining their first win after the Olympics can only but give the fanbase even more hope as they entering the final stretch of their remarkable run.
The game also had moments which the fanbase can look at to continue to stay positive. Tage Thompson scored the opening goal upon his return from the Gold Medal victory in the Olympics.
Many NHL fans were worried how the players who participated in the tournament would return in terms of being healthy and up to their usual playing level. Thompson's goal may have allowed the fanbase to feel a sense of confidence.
A question that arose was how they would stay aggressive after the break. It seems that will not be a concern based off the game against the Devils. They stayed on the attack, which led to the first goal by Thompson.
For example, winger Beck Malenstyn, who has struggled in parts of the year, had three hits on the evening in just over 11 minutes of ice time. It demonstrates that every player is willing to stay on the uptick as they begin to roll on the ice.
It is without a doubt the team has positioned themselves nicely in the standings but, having not been in the playoffs since 2011, no fan will be able to stay calm until they officially clinch a berth.
For the organization, they need to stay aggressive. For the fanbase, they need to stay calm. Both of those goals took huge steps forward in the first victory in almost on month on Wednesday night.