For the first time since the 2010-11 season, the Buffalo Sabres are playoff-bound.

Buffalo clinched a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday after the New York Rangers beat the Detroit Red Wings, 4-1.

The Sabres had multiple clinching scenarios in play Saturday, but New York handled business early in the afternoon, punching Buffalo’s ticket.

It marks the end of a 14-year post-season drought, which was the longest active streak in the NHL and tied with the New York Jets for the longest in North American sports.

Buffalo is in action itself on Saturday night against the Washington Capitals, but will now turn its attention to seeding within the Eastern Conference race. It enters the night tied atop the Atlantic Division with the Tampa Bay Lightning with 100 points.

The Sabres have been arguably the NHL’s hottest team since firing general manager Kevyn Adams back in December and replacing him with Jarmo Kekalainen. At the time, they had a 14–14–4 record and have gone 32-8-4 since.

The Rangers got three goals from Gabe Perreault and one from Jaroslav Chmelar against Detroit to give Buffalo its official push into the post-season.