Sabres Taking Success One Game At A Time 

The daily main story at Hockey Hot Stove is powered by Watrhouse Brands, dedicated to quality, consumer education, and awareness: Benevolent Bakery, SoSHEL beverages, and Smokiez vegan fruit chews. Today:  The surprising Buffalo Sabres.

The Buffalo Sabres are on the brink of securing the team’s first postseason appearance in 15 years. 

The Sabres are the top story in the National Hockey League since the fortunes of the group changed dramatically in December. It’s not just about the club digging itself out from a poor start to the 2025-26 campaign, but it is the story of a team that has come together as a group. 

Buffalo has climbed to the top of the Atlantic division standings and is just one point out of a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference. 

While the Sabres are now virtually assured of finishing in a playoff spot and bringing postseason hockey back to Western New York,  there is no looking ahead when regular-season games remain. 

The focus is on finding ways to win games and gain points in the standings. 

This edition of the Sabres has captured the imagination of fans, and following the team has once again become appointment viewing in Buffalo. 

Sellout crowds have returned to Key Bank Center, with a team on the ice that gives it all each night. 

Head Coach Lindy Ruff is in year two of his second stint behind the Sabres bench, and he has this team drawing comparisons to the 2005-06 Buffalo club that reached the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Although Ruff is certainly considered a coach of the year candidate, he makes it clear that this season’s run is about the growth of the group. The night in night out effort of this year’s team and focusing on the next game that is ahead, and learning from yet another disappointing finish last spring. 

“It’s not about me,” said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. “I was frustrated. I said last year that it was on me to figure this out. To try to get us in the best place possible to win hockey games. And right now it’s only about one thing, and I’ll continue to say it, it’s just about this next game. Win the next game. I really like the way our team is playing. I like the togetherness of our team. Take it one game at a time. Keep pushing it down the road.”