The Buffalo Sabres, one of the biggest laughingstocks in North American professional sports for over a decade, are finally relevant again, and their recent rise up the NHL standings couldn't have come at a better moment for sports fans in the City of Good Neighbors.
That's because the Bills, a top-tier NFL contender for the past few years, are making headlines for all the wrong reasons since Saturday's playoff loss to the Denver Broncos.
First, the Bills fired longtime head coach Sean McDermott on Monday. The organization didn't acknowledge a subsequent goodbye statement from McDermott, who'd won over fans with his love for Buffalo despite some frustrating on-field results, especially in the postseason. It didn't publish a tribute video until the following day as pressure mounted from the fanbase.
Then, team owner Terry Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane held a wild press conference that included veiled shots at McDermott, blaming the coaching staff for the decision to draft struggling wide receiver Keon Coleman and an incredibly defensive tone in general.
Pegula, who also owns the Sabres, interjected any time he felt Beane was receiving too much of the blame for the Bills' struggles despite a roster that's underwhelming aside from MVP quarterback Josh Allen and NFL rushing champion James Cook.
In short, it was a mess.
Meanwhile, people around Western New York are turning their focus to the Sabres in droves.
Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News reported recent Blue and Gold games have seen a 70% uptick in viewership compared to earlier in the 2025-26 season when the club was struggling.
"The ratings resurgence, which, unofficially, has raised the season average to 3.9 over 45 televised games, started during the team's 10-game winning streak," Pergament wrote.
Buffalo Sabres' unexpected success can take some pressure off the Bills for the next few months
Winning cures all ills, and that's especially true in Buffalo, which is desperate to witness a major sports championship. Fans have also accepted it's seemingly impossible for their two teams to find high-end success at the same time.
The Bills were a dominant force in the early 1990s, infamously losing four straight Super Bowls. The Sabres then had two surges into Stanley Cup contention, first led by Dominik Hasek and then with Chris Drury, Daniel Briere and Ryan Miller leading the way.
More recently, it's been Allen and the Bills who've renewed championship dreams in the city, but the team has yet to reach Super Bowl Sunday.
While the Sabres are probably still a few years away from entering the title conversation, it's a promising sign that they might finally be turning a corner in a seemingly endless rebuilding project.
It'll also help the Bills if the Blue and Gold can remain in the playoff chase, which would provide a distraction as the NFL organization attempts to put all of the issues from this week in the rearview mirror and set the stage for a much-needed roster shake up over the offseason.
Ultimately, Buffalo sports fans just want to see a winner. "One before I die" is a common refrain in regards to a championship coming to the 716. Most aren't picky about whether that title arrives on the gridiron or on the ice.
The television ratings show they're starting to buy back into the Sabres at a rapid rate, and perhaps they'll get to enjoy a Party in the Plaza when April rolls around.