The Buffalo Sabres have officially clinched the 2025-26 Atlantic Division title.
This is the first division championship since the 2009-10 season and marks the culmination of an extraordinary turnaround for a franchise that sat in the Eastern Conference basement as recently as December. A big turning point in the season came when the Sabres fired general manager Kevyn Adams in mid-December, replacing him with former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen to take his place.
#Sabrehood clinch first Atlantic Division title since 2010, the exclamation point on ending their 14-year playoff drought.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 14, 2026
Buffalo will face #GoSensGo or #NHLBruins.
🔒Locked in: #GoHabsGo vs. #GoBolts in Round 1 - oddly, a 2021 Stanley Cup Final rematch. Home ice TBD on Wed.
The Sabres have reached the 50-win mark for just the third time in franchise history, joining the elite squads of 2005-06 and 2006-07. Tage Thompson leads the way, posting his second consecutive season with over 70 points.
The division title also clarifies the Eastern Conference bracket. Buffalo is now locked into a first-round matchup against the top Wild Card seed, which remains a tight battle between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. As of tonight, the Bruins hold that spot by a single point, with one game remaining for both clubs.