What's the Sabres' magic number to clinch a playoff spot?
As the Sabres close in on their first playoff berth since 2011, here's a daily look at where their magic number stands to clinch the spot that will end the longest postseason drought in NHL history.
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) takes a shot in the third period of their game against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center on March 12, 2026.
Joed Viera/Buffalo News
The Buffalo Sabres are closing in on their first berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2011, but it's a bit of a complicated path to figure out when they will actually clinch that long-awaited invitation to the postseason party and end the longest playoff drought in NHL history.
But it could happen as soon as Thursday.
After Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Seattle Kraken in KeyBank Center, the Sabres have a record of 45-21-8 for 98 points. They have eight games remaining.
To calculate Buffalo's "magic number," you have to figure the maximum number of points attainable by the team in the first spot outside of the playoffs. That is currently Ottawa at 86 points. The Senators can do no better than 104.
As of Friday night, the Sabres themselves have been having discussions internally about the magic number because of the potential for three-point games, both their own and those of other teams.
The reason is that a run of overtime/shootout losses could erode their tiebreaker advantage they currently hold over all teams if those teams earn regulation wins at the same time.
The magic number is the combination of points the Sabres gain or points the Senators do not, to clinch the berth.
With both teams off Sunday and Monday, the Sabres' magic number will remain unchanged at 7.
The Sabres play the New York Islanders on Tuesday and the Senators on Thursday. The Senators play the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. So, if the Sabres win on Tuesday and the Senators lose in regulation, a Sabres regulation win against the Senators on Thursday would clinch a playoff spot.