In 2024, the Buffalo Sabres extended their playoff drought to 13 seasons, but that isn’t the only infamous milestone that they “accomplished.” Since 2009, or in the past 15 seasons, the Sabres have also failed to win a single playoff series.
To be more accurate, Buffalo’s last playoff series win came in 2007 against the New York Rangers. It was a year the Sabres also “won” the “regular season championship” with 113 points, which gave the franchise its first and only Presidents’ Trophy.
But it isn’t all doom and gloom in the Queen City, as the Sabres, ironically enough, rehired the coach that led them to that last playoff series win for 2024-25, Lindy Ruff. Perhaps Ruff can help them claw their way out of the No. 32 ranking - yes, that’s counting the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken, who started play in 2017 and 2021, respectively - for the upcoming season.
Buffalo Sabres rank 32nd in playoff series wins since 2009
Fans can also find solace in the fact that if the Sabres earned a trip to the 2025 playoffs and won a series, they would tie with arguably their biggest rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs, assuming the latter don’t also win their second series in that same timeframe.
With Ruff back in action and Seth Appert also at the helm as an assistant, complete with a young team that should no longer factor in as the NHL’s youngest, it’s possible the Blue and Gold will climb out of the NHL’s doldrums and win at least one series.
But the Atlantic Division could be more competitive than ever, with a former Stanley Cup Champion taking over the Maple Leafs behind the bench while the Florida Panthers are showing zero signs of slowing down. The Detroit Red Wings are on the rise, and the Boston Bruins won’t see the same roster turnover that affected them last summer.
(Additional information provided by Hockey-Reference)