The Buffalo Sabres captured the imaginations of NHL fans around the league. Their rags-to-riches story helped transform the league’s longest playoff drought into a magical run.
But for those who thought that run was the end, they have another thing coming. The Sabres’ run to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs was just the beginning.
And that’s why the Sabres can’t afford to take a step back. Their breakthrough season proved the core has the wherewithal to compete with the big guns in the Eastern Conference. They came painfully close to the Conference Final, and, well, this upcoming season promises to help the team build on last year’s success.
But could the Sabres regress back to the mean next season? Could this past campaign have been an outlier?
Yes, there’s always the possibility that this past season was a flash in the pan for the Sabres. That’s something, nonetheless, that could happen to just about every team in the NHL.
The club saw some major departures in Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch. Still, the Sabres are so good at this point that their current crop can offset the losses.
That situation adds to the pressure on the current core to step it up. If 2025-26 was a fun ride, 2026-27 must be about planting a flag.
Sabres need to get off to strong start in 2026-27
It sounds like a cliché, but a strong start is what the Sabres need to ensure they’ll be back in the playoffs next spring. It’s worth noting that the Sabres got off to a rough start last season. And because of that historic streak, the team was able to get back into the playoff hunt.
That’s something that the team cannot afford to repeat. The Atlantic Division remains the NHL’s toughest division. Every team is armed to the teeth and will be fighting for every inch in the standings. Hence, grabbing as many points in October and November will be crucial to the Sabres’ playoff chances.
It’s all about frontloading. Putting in the hard work early in the season compounds down the stretch. Teams firmly secure in playoff positions down the stretch can afford to breathe a little easier. If that’s the case, the Sabres can pace themselves. There won’t be a desperate push to lock down a playoff spot.
If anything, the push will be to repeat as division champs. That’s one of the goals.
Another goal, however, should be to ensure the team is as healthy and rested as possible heading into the postseason. That focus will ensure Buffalo can hit the ground running in the postseason.
Who knows, this might just be the year the NHL sees one of the longest-suffering fan bases get their just rewards.
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