The Buffalo Sabres clinched a playoff berth over the weekend (confirmed), sabres score, but have lost two in a row in regulation (confirmed) and still could finish anywhere from first to third in the Atlantic Division.
Buffalo Sabres Remaining Schedule
The Buffalo Sabres enter the final stretch with five remaining games (confirmed) in the 2025-26 NHL regular season, a run that will determine whether the Sabres secure the division crown or settle for third place. The Sabres’ position sits inside a tight Eastern Conference cluster: six teams are within three points of each other competing for two spots (confirmed), meaning Buffalo’s remaining results will directly affect final seeding and first-round matchup scenarios.
Tampa Bay Lightning Matchup
The Tampa Bay Lightning arrive in Buffalo having won two in a row entering Monday, April 6 (confirmed), and will open a four-game road stretch against division opponents after that visit (confirmed). Buffalo will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, April 6; that game is the Sabres’ next chance to stop a two-game regulation skid and to protect their seeding leverage with five remaining games (confirmed).
Read Also: Buffalo Sabres Enter Sabres Schedule Tied for First with 100 Points
Eastern Conference Wild-Card Race
The Montreal Canadiens lost 3-0 at home to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday (3-0) and remain mathematically in the hunt for the division and the No. 1 seed in the East (confirmed). The Boston Bruins appear to be locked into the first wild card in the East (confirmed), leaving a highly concentrated fight for the remaining playoff slots: six teams separated by three points for two spots (confirmed). That cluster creates a narrow margin for error for Buffalo despite having clinched a berth; two in a row against them increases volatility in final seeding.
Read Also: Lightning Vs Sabres Play Rematch After March 8 15-Goal Classic
Buffalo Sabres players face five remaining games (confirmed) that will affect travel, matchups and home-ice outcomes in the first round. For fans and ticket holders, the immediate operational fact is straightforward: Buffalo’s Monday game against the Tampa Bay Lightning is the next meaningful indicator of whether the Sabres can halt their regulation skid and solidify their place inside the top two of the division—or slip toward third.
