Buffalo Sabres Return to the NHL Playoffs
Buffalo, New York – After a decade-long struggle, the Buffalo Sabres have finally punched their ticket back to the NHL playoffs, marking an end to the league’s longest postseason drought that lasted 14 years. The Sabres, who last reached the playoffs in 2011, stunned observers by finishing first in the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2007. This weekend, they will face the Boston Bruins in their playoff opener on home ice.
Former Players Weigh In
Former Sabres forward Taylor Hall, the league’s MVP in 2018, has voiced his continued belief in Buffalo’s potential as a competitive force in hockey. Even after his brief stint with the team ended after just 37 games, Hall commented on the positive changes he has witnessed this season.
“If you’re a sports fan, you have a bit of a soft spot for Buffalo. It’s nice to see that they’ve done it the right way this year. They play hard and fast,”
said Hall, who now plays for the Carolina Hurricanes.
“They’ve committed to playing well on both sides of the puck, and that’s the recipe. They’re going to be a tough out.”
Other former Sabres players have also expressed their happiness regarding the team’s resurrection. Casey Mittelstadt, currently with the Bruins and preparing to face his old teammates, shared his joy for Buffalo’s captain Rasmus Dahlin and star scorer Tage Thompson, both of whom he came into the league with in 2018.
“I have so many friends there and am really close with the staff, spent a lot of time there. I would be lying if I said I don’t cheer for them a bit,”
he said, highlighting the camaraderie he maintains with the Buffalo organization.
Zemgus Girgensons, who experienced a significant part of the Sabres’ playoff drought over his decade-long tenure, expressed his admiration for the team’s current lineup.
“There’s a lot of talent on that team and they’re doing a good job so far. You can see the guys have matured a lot. They’ve been playing good hockey, and it’s fun to watch,”
Girgensons noted, acknowledging the evolution of his former teammates.
Tyler Myers, who was part of Buffalo’s last playoff run, reflected on his early NHL success with the Sabres as he remarked,
“I’m happy to see the city and the team doing well. They’ve had a long road, and certainly, in a way, I’m happy for them.”
Rasmus Ristolainen, who holds the record for the most regular-season games played without making the playoffs, is also feeling the excitement now that he is with Philadelphia. He empathized with Sabres fans, saying,
“The fans are die-hard and love the team. Good for them.”
Patrick Kane, a native of Buffalo and three-time Stanley Cup champion, expressed that he could feel the excitement and energy of the Sabres’ fanbase as he noticed the atmosphere at games during a recent visit to Detroit.
“You could see the crowd get into it. I kind of compare it to the Bills a little bit. The Bills are good, it’s good for the city. Same thing with the Sabres.”
Recognition from the NHL
The remarkable resurgence of the Sabres has not only impressed old players and fans but also received recognition from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. He commended the team’s rapid turnaround from a lowly start of 11-14-4 to a record of 39-9-4, which catapulted them to the division title. With sellouts rising from just four in the previous season to over 22 already this year, Bettman noted,
“It’s like what’s happened has turned the page. The fans are back, and their enthusiasm is back.”
As Buffalo prepares to re-enter playoff territory, the entire hockey world looks on with a sense of nostalgia and hope, as former players and fans alike celebrate the long-awaited revival of a city that has endured its share of trials.
