The Buffalo Sabres have significantly closed the gap in the Eastern Conference playoff race, now only 5 points behind the New York Islanders for the second wild-card spot after a decisive 7-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. This win is part of a broader trend that sees the Sabres only 3 points behind the Red Wings for the final playoff spot in the East, despite trading away their captain and leading scorer, with 15 games to go. The Sabres' next challenge is a five-game road trip, which includes a rematch with Detroit, as well as games against Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning have moved into the top wild-card spot with a four-point lead over the Islanders, having played one more game. The Islanders remain in the second wild-card spot following a 4-0 loss to the Sabres, while Philadelphia and Detroit also faced losses, intensifying the Eastern Conference playoff race. Notably, Buffalo now has a positive goal differential for the season.
#Isles remain in the second wild-card spot after 4-0 loss to #LetsGoBuffalo. PHI is getting killed. DET lost, but TBL beat NYR to move into the top wild-card spot, with a four-point lead with one more game played.
#Isles remain in the second wild-card spot after 4-0 loss to #LetsGoBuffalo. PHI lost. DET lost, but TBL beat NYR to move into the top wild-card spot, with a four-point lead with one more game played.
Updated wild card standings with #Caps still to come at Seattle and #Sabres charging. Note Buffalo now has positive goal differential for the season. https://t.co/ckQZcoV1XU
Detroit has lost at home to Arizona and the #Sabres are now three points out with 15 games left. It feels like it was 10 points about a week ago. Wow.
Next for the Sabres, a five-game road trip to Detroit, Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Only 3 points behind the Red Wings for the final playoff spot in the East. After trading its captain and leading scorer, Buffalo is still in the hunt with 15 games to go.
What a huge win for the Sabres (and loss for the Isles). TBL up right now, DET and PHI both trailing. The Eastern Conference playoff race 👀👀
What a huge win for the Sabres (and loss for the Isles). TBL up right down, DET and PHI both trailing. The Eastern Conference playoff race 👀👀
Four goals in the first period. Three in the second. The Sabres rolled over the Red Wings in a 7-3 win. Now only 5 points behind the Islanders in the wild-card race. My observations from a game that Buffalo needed: https://t.co/gkJvQ2Je4W
"That's a big two points for us in the standings ..." The Sabres are only 5 points behind the Islanders for the second-wild card spot. Hard to believe, right? My observations from their 7-3 win over the Red Wings: https://t.co/gkJvQ2Je4W