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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.
MORE: Alex Ovechkin snaps an unfathomable streak
Buffalo Sabres magic number live tracker
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What is the Sabres' magic number?
A big Saturday for Buffalo: A Sabres shootout win over the Kraken paired with a Red Wings loss. That has lowered the Sabres' magic number to 7.
According to Buffalo Sabres Stats on X, the Sabres also still have magic numbers in play for first-round home ice (15), win division (19) and Eastern Conference top seed (21) before action began on Sunday night.
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. Once it reaches zero, it means the Sabres have clinched.
The action on Tuesday, March 31 could be crucial -- read here for a full breakdown of why that is.
Sabres playoff odds
After the Sabres' win over the Kraken, they're given a 100% chance to make the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.com.
Buffalo Sabres remaining schedule
- 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. They'll first play on the final day of March against the New York Islanders.
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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