The Buffalo Sabres are turning heads with a remarkable turnaround that has their fans dreaming big.
After 14 straight seasons of missing the playoffs – the longest drought in the NHL – the Sabres have caught fire. They’ve climbed from the Eastern Conference basement to grab third place in the Atlantic Division.
Alex Tuch isn’t just thinking about making the playoffs. The Sabres winger made that crystal clear after Thursday’s win over Los Angeles.
"We’re not just going to go for the playoffs," Tuch told Mike Harrington of Buffalo News Sports. "We’re going to go for the Cup."
That’s not just bold talk. Since December 1st, the Sabres have been the NHL’s hottest team, posting an incredible 21-6-1 record.
They’re playing so well that they could jump to second place in their division if they win their games in hand over Detroit.
"It gives me chills as an ex-Sabre," said former NHL goalie Carter Hutton on Daily Faceoff LIVE. "I’ve stood in front of that mic just like Alex Tuch has, but back then we were answering questions about why we were losing."
The difference now? This team isn’t hoping to win – they’re expecting it.
"It’s one thing to say it," Hutton added. "But right now, the Buffalo Sabres are saying the right things, and they’re proving it on the rink."
For a franchise that hasn’t seen playoff hockey since 2011, this feels different. The confidence is real. The wins are piling up. And for the first time in a long time, Buffalo hockey fans have more than just hope – they’ve got a team that’s playing like a contender.
