The Buffalo Sabres can clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 15 years when they visit the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
The Sabres (46-21-8, 100 points) reached the century mark in points Tuesday with a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders, the first time they’ve done so since the 2009-10 season. That victory that helped their magic number to clinch drop to a mere two points, aided by the Senators’ 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Any type of win against the Senators (38-26-10, 86 points) and Buffalo’s ticket is officially punched.
“It’s awesome. It feels good to see that 100 on there,” forward Peyton Krebs said. “It’s been a lot of work, obviously. Lot of ups and downs. We’ve still got a long ways to go here, but that feels good to hit that 100. I think it’s going to really give us some momentum here in the last few games and in the playoffs.”
The victory against the Islanders combined with the Tampa Bay Lightning losing to the Montreal Canadiens moved the Sabres back into top spot in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning do hold a game in hand.
Krebs broke a 2-2 tie late in the third period against New York, tallying his 11th goal of the season to surpass his career high of 10 set last season. His goal came just over three minutes after the Islanders tied it on a fluky bounce.
The 25-year-old has been a key part of the team’s success, bringing energy and drive that’s helped make him a mainstay on the top line alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. He also has started to find his offense, with six points (two goals, four assists) in his past eight games.
“His energy, it’s always up there at the top,” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. “Some of the energy, on a down day, I think even annoys some of the players: ‘Quit competing so hard, I don’t feel as good as you do.’ But that energy is infectious. There’s not once you have to tell the guy, ‘Come on, pick it up a little bit.’ It’s what drives teams. He’s a driver.”
Ottawa, meanwhile, will be looking to keep its playoff hopes alive following the setback to the Panthers on Tuesday, a game they trailed 5-0 after the first period.
The Senators are two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference. They’ve played one fewer game and hold the edge in the regulation wins and regulation/overtime wins’ tiebreakers.
“Disappointing. We talked about the importance of a good start in this building and that was the opposite,” Ottawa coach Travis Green said. “We just looked flat, didn’t have a lot of energy. … Flat out, we had a lot of players who weren’t good enough.”
Thursday’s tilt will be the first of a five-game homestand for the Senators, who have lost three in a row (0-2-1). They are 18-11-6 as the hosts.
“We’re in the middle of the hunt right now for a spot,” forward Drake Batherson said. “It isn’t like losing (Tuesday) means the season is over. It probably makes our job a little harder. But I trust this group.”
The Sabres have won both meetings so far, but the teams have not met since Dec. 23, 2025.
