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 been a complicated path in the last week 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.
That's no longer the case. A win Thursday in Ottawa − whether it's in regulation or a result of overtime or a shootout − and Buffalo is in.
After Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders in KeyBank Center, the Sabres have a record of 46-21-8 for 100 points, the first time they have hit the century mark since 2010. They have seven 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, who gave up five first-period goals in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to Florida, can do no better than 102.
Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) celebrates his goal with Rasmus Dahlin (26) against the New York Islanders
during the third period at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
The magic number is the combination needed of points the Sabres gain or points the Senators do not, to clinch the berth.
If the Sabres win Thursday's game to get to 102 points, Ottawa could not pass them even if the Senators won out and Buffalo lost out. The best Ottawa could do is 100 points with a regulation loss or 101 with an OT/shootout defeat.
Meanwhile, Detroit and Philadelphia are also at 86 points but already eliminated from catching Buffalo by virtue of the regulation wins tiebreaker. The best they can both do is 102 and a Sabres victory gets Buffalo to 102 and ensures those two teams cannot pass them as well.
Thus, Buffalo's magic number to clinch the playoff berth is down to 2.