Playoff Push: March 25th

Tyler Ennis keeping an eye on the action with
teammates Marcus Foligno (L) and Travis Turnbull.
(Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

On January 24th, the Buffalo Sabres were five games below .500 and last place in the Eastern Conference, with playoff odds at practically zero.  Take a look at what the standings looked like on that date.

Another win in the books last night and suddenly the Sabres are eight games above .500 and currently holding a playoff position.  Since January 24th, the Sabres have gone 18-5-5, bringing playoff odds from their lowest point to 46.6%.

After a slow start where they were outshot 8-1 and found themselves behind a goal, the Sabres turned it on outshooting the Wild 36-17 the rest of the way in winning their fourth in a row and improving to 6-0-2 in their last eight.  "I wasn't surprised that they had better legs early on, but I thought we dug in," said Lindy Ruff.  "We came out at the start of the second and started to make a difference."  Thomas Vanek scored early in the second period, Marcus Foligno early in the third and Cody Hodgson in the last second of regulation to secure the victory.  Ryan Miller made 24 saves to improve to 13-1-3 in his past 17, a stretch in which he's allowed just 31 goals.

"I think it shows the character we have in the room," said captain Jason Pominville.  "The guys stuck together.  And as fun as it's been, I think there's still a lot of work to be done."  Buffalo Sabres defeat Minnesota Wild in regulation (+7.9%).  Show the "Read more" button some love to continue on.

Eastern Conference Standings - March 25
(Sabres.com)

The first of two other games last night having an impact on the Sabres' playoff odds saw the Ottawa Senators defeat Pittsburgh Penguins in regulation (-3.3%).  Daniel Alfredsson had two goals and two assists, and the Ottawa Senators dealt Pittsburgh its first regulation loss in 15 games, beating the Penguins 8-4.  Pittsburgh fell to 13-1-1 since a 6-2 loss in Buffalo on Feb. 19.  Pittsburgh dropped three points behind the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers.  The Penguins have eight games left, compared to seven for New York.  The Senators snapped a three-game losing streak and are seventh in the East with 86 points, ahead of the Sabres by two.

Nashville Predators defeat Winnipeg Jets in regulation (+2.1%).  Pekka Rinne made 24 saves to lead the Predators to a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.  Matt Halischuk, Gabriel Bourque and Shea Weber scored for Nashville, which snapped a two-game losing streak.  Tim Stapleton had the lone goal for the Jets, who have lost three of four.  One night after rallying from a three goal-deficit and winning in overtime at Washington, the Jets lost their 21st road game of the season.  They now trail the Sabres by six points but have a game in hand.

In total yesterday, the Sabres playoff odds increased 7.4 to 46.6%.  While we were against the Minnesota Wild last night, tonight we are their number one supporters.  The Wild are in Washington tonight and a regulation win over the Caps will push playoff odds well above 50% for the Sabres.  Outcomes and odds impacts are as follows.

Minnesota Wild at Washington Capitals

WAS - Reg Win (-5.1%)

WAS - OT Win (-5.1%)

WAS - SO Win (-5.1%)

MIN - Reg Win (+11.5%)

MIN - OT Win (+3.1%)

MIN - SO Win (+3.1%)

New York Islanders at Florida Panthers

FLA - Reg Win (-0.8%)

FLA - OT Win (-0.8%)

FLA - SO Win (-0.6%)

NYI - Reg Win (+1.7%)

NYI - OT Win (+0.2%)

NYI - SO Win (+0.2%)

The Sabres will enjoy a well-deserved two-day break before traveling to Washington in what is setting up to be the most important game of the season on Tuesday.  "We've got an opportunity to take a breather," coach Lindy Ruff said, noting his team just finished a stretch of playing five games in eight days.  "I just told them, 'Get your minds off hockey and get some rest.'"