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Sabres magic number tracker: Updated playoff odds, remaining schedule to end playoff drought originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Buffalo Sabres are so close to the moment their fans have desired for more than a decade.
They're working to end the longest playoff drought in the NHL, and it's happened in quite the wild way, too. The standings are in their favor. The magic number is getting lower. This clinching scenario really looks like it's going to happen.
Buffalo had 11 regulation wins and 14 regulation losses on December 9. That night, they won a wild, 4-3 game in overtime over the Oilers. And somehow, the Sabres got so hot that they reached 40 regulation wins before 20 regulation losses.
The stretch run has arrived now, and the Sabres just have to finish solidly to avoid any collapses and get into the playoffs.
And once a team is in the postseason, anything can happen.
Buffalo is ready to rock for some home playoff games. The clinch is closing in.
Below, we'll keep track of how close the Sabres are getting.
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Buffalo Sabres magic number live tracker
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What is the Sabres' magic number?
Entering the March 27 matchup with the Detroit Red Wings, the Sabres' magic number was 11 points. They then lost to Detroit, 5-2, which won't help the number.
As they gain points from wins (or OT losses), and as other teams in the standings miss chances to gain points, that magic number drops.
Sabres playoff odds
Before the Sabres play the Red Wings, they're given a 99.98% chance to make the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.com.
The Sabres enter the Detroit game with 96 points, which is tops in the Atlantic Division and equal to the Carolina Panthers atop the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo Sabres remaining schedule
- March 28: vs. Kraken
- March 31: vs. Islanders
- April 2: at Senators
- April 4: at Capitals
- April 6: vs. Lightning
- April 8: at Rangers
- April 9: vs. Blue Jackets
- April 13: at Blackhawks
- April 15: vs. Stars
They've got a chance to clinch sometime in early April.
How long is the Sabres' playoff drought?
The Buffalo Sabres have missed the playoffs in the last 14 NHL seasons.
When did the Sabres last play in the playoffs?
Their last playoff game was on April 26, 2011.
That was an Eastern Conference first round Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
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