The clinch party will have to wait one more night in Buffalo.
The Sabres had a chance to end a 14-year playoff drought last night in Ottawa — and the Senators had other ideas. Ottawa dominated the third period, scoring three unanswered goals to pull away for a 4 to 1 win. Buffalo managed just 22 shots, couldn’t solve Linus Ullmark, and Tage Thompson was held off the scoresheet all night. Peyton Krebs had the lone Sabres goal. Dylan Cozens — a name Sabres fans know well — led Ottawa with a goal and the first star of the game.
But here’s the thing — Buffalo’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now down to just one. Just. One. Any point in their next game gets the job done and ends the longest playoff drought in NHL history.
That next chance comes tomorrow night — the Sabres travel to Washington to face the Capitals at 6 o’clock. A win officially punches Buffalo’s ticket to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Fifteen years of waiting. One point to go. Let’s get it done, Sabres.
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