The Buffalo Sabres did what they needed to as they got the 4-3 win over the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. It was a historic night for the franchise as they had their 2,000th win as a franchise while also reaching 100 points for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
These are all great moments, but the focus is ending the 14-playoff drought, and that magic number went down in a big way with some of the results around the league. The Sabres can now clinch a spot as early as Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators.
The wild card race in the Eastern Conference is tight with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers all within two points. On Tuesday night, all four of those teams lost, and not only lost but lost in regulation.
This brings the magic number down to two or three, but regardless of what that number is, a win over the Senators on Thursday will clinch a playoff spot and end the playoff drought.
Montreal Canadiens gave the Sabres a gift with a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning
While the magic number is the focus now, the Buffalo Sabres have a great chance at winning the Atlantic Division. Entering the games on Tuesday, the Sabres and Lightning were tied at 98 points, but the Lightning had a game in hand.
However, the Canadiens, who are playing some of the best hockey around the NHL, went into Tampa Bay and won 4-1. This now essentially allows the Sabres to control their destiny when it comes to winning the division.
While the Lightning still have a game in hand, these two teams will meet in less than a week, and the winner of that game is the clear favorite to win the Atlantic Division.
All eyes will be on Thursday night, and the Buffalo Sabres could know by the end of the game against the Senators whether they are officially playoff-bound.