NHL playoff race: Sabres, Red Wings and Ducks chase drought-ending berths

The NHL regular season is heading into its final stretch, and a handful of long-suffering franchises have suddenly put themselves within striking distance of the postseason. After dramatic midseason surges and impressive hot streaks, three clubs that have gone the longest without playoff hockey now look positioned to break their droughts as the calendar moves toward April.

Clubs nearest to snapping their longest playoff droughts

Buffalo Sabres: momentum built on a torrid run and a hot scorer

The Sabres — currently carrying the longest active playoff absence in franchise history — have flipped the script this season with a dominant run that began in December. Buffalo’s surge has vaulted them into the Eastern Conference wild-card picture and given fans renewed hope that a 14-season drought can finally end.

• Recent form: An impressive 21-5-2 stretch since Dec. 9 has been the backbone of their push.
• Standings impact: That form has earned them a wild-card berth in the East, sitting just a point clear of the Boston Bruins for positioning.
• Key performer: Tage Thompson’s consistent scoring — delivering roughly eight goals each month over a three-month span — has him near the 30-goal mark and anchors Buffalo’s offense.

Detroit Red Wings: veteran goaltending and steady climb in the Atlantic

Detroit’s long wait for postseason hockey stretches nearly a decade, but this season the Red Wings have climbed into contention inside a competitive Atlantic Division. Strong defensive play and a steadier crease have helped them close ground on the teams ahead.

• Division placement: The Red Wings have climbed to third in the Atlantic Division and hold a narrow edge on division rivals.
• Goalie upgrade pays off: New addition John Gibson has been a reliable presence, posting a robust record and a goals-against average that’s the best he’s posted in several seasons.
• Outlook: If Detroit keeps tightening up defensively and Gibson maintains his level, they’ll remain in the mix as the schedule winds down.

Anaheim Ducks: rebounding from a long skid and Olympic pause

Anaheim’s roster has responded well after a brutal midseason losing streak, turning the tailspin into a run that put them back into Western Conference wild-card contention before the Olympic break. The team’s ability to split the season into a before-and-after story has been key.

• Drought length: The Ducks are trying to end a multi-year absence from playoff hockey and found themselves occupying a wild-card slot in the Western Conference.
• Turnaround: After a nine-game slide, Anaheim ripped off nine wins in 11 games to climb back into contention prior to the Milan-Cortina Olympic pause.
• Tiebreaker tightness: Anaheim shares the same point total as the Seattle Kraken, but Seattle holds the tiebreaker thanks to more regulation wins — a small margin that could be decisive down the stretch.

Established streaks and surprising slumps putting pressure on contenders

Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs: streaks at risk

Not every perennial contender has cruised this season. A handful of teams with recent history of playoff appearances have dropped into trouble as the season enters its final phase, threatening to halt multi-year runs of postseason berths.

• Florida’s slump: Recent losses heading into the Olympic break left the Panthers outside the immediate playoff picture in the Atlantic Division, several points shy of a wild-card spot.
• Toronto’s precarious spot: The Maple Leafs find themselves only marginally better than some rivals in the division and face the real possibility of their streak of postseason appearances coming under threat if results don’t improve.
• Implications: Should one of these clubs miss the cut, the list of longest active streaks around the league will change, reshuffling bragging rights among top teams.

Colorado Avalanche: early greatness, recent wobble

Colorado opened the campaign at a pace few teams could match, but a rough patch in recent weeks has tightened the Central Division race. The Avalanche still lead their division and remain favorites to extend their consecutive playoff appearances, but rivals have closed the gap.

• Hot start: Colorado ripped off an exceptional beginning to the season that created a sizeable cushion in the standings.
• Recent form dip: Over the last stretch of games, the Avalanche’s record cooled substantially, giving chase teams room to close the gap.
• Division challengers: Both Minnesota and Dallas have put together impressive winning streaks — the Wild had a five-game run and the Stars reeled off six in a row — and are now pressing Colorado in the Central.

What the stretch run will hinge on for postseason hopefuls

With only weeks remaining before playoff seeding locks in, small margins and situational performance will decide which franchises extend droughts and which snap them. Goaltending consistency, health, and the ability to win in regulation instead of overtime are likely to be decisive factors.

• Goaltending steadiness: Teams that got upgrades between the pipes have seen tangible benefits; sustaining that level will be critical.
• Regulation wins matter: Tiebreakers that favor more regulation victories could determine who slips past the finish line and who falls short.
• Momentum after the Olympic break: How clubs respond to the pause — whether they return sharp or rusty — may swing a handful of tight races.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.