Sabres Win Atlantic, Will Face Boston

The Buffalo Sabres have won the Atlantic Division Championship for the 2025-2026 National Hockey League regular season.

The top spot in the division was secured following Monday night’s action, with the Sabres’ win in Chicago, coupled with the Tampa Bay Lightning victory ending in overtime. Buffalo’s Atlantic crown marks the club’s seventh division title in team history, its first since 2010.

Finishing in the top spot in the Atlantic is the culmination of one of the most remarkable mid-season U-turns in recent memory. Following the first two months of the campaign, it seemed that the Sabres were headed down the familiar path of yet another lost season. A 15th straight year without a playoff appearance seemed all but a certainty. Fan apathy was at an all-time high for an organization with a proud history and a city that loves the Sabres and NHL and was simply starving for a team to be excited about again.

The promotion of senior advisor Jarmo Kekalainen to General Manager, to relieve ousted GM Kevyn Adams, started the club on an upward trajectory that took them from the bottom of the standings to one of the top point totals in the entire league.

This group of players has come together as a cohesive unit, one where team members support one another and exhibit a commitment to the style of play that allowed them to dramatically turn their season around.

“I’m excited,” said head coach Lindy Ruff. “ I can only imagine what our fans (feel). It’s been a long time coming; it’s been too long. To have home ice secured, to be Atlantic Division Champions, and we get to start at home. Great for our guys, great for our team, great for our fans, and awesome for our city.”

By any measure, a division title and a return to the postseason would be viewed as a very successful season, but the 25-26 Sabres are clearly focused on something far greater.

“I’m really proud of this group, “ said winger Alex Tuch. “It’s another step in the right direction, though. It feels really good, but we’ve got a bigger goal in mind. We’re not done. We want more, and we’re hungry. That’s all that matters to us is what’s next.”

“Getting some good momentum going into the playoffs. It doesn’t mean anything if you don’t lift the ultimate trophy at the end of the year. “