Sabres Enter 2025-26 as Playoff Hopefuls — But That Could Work in Their Favor
The Buffalo Sabres are not the favorites heading into the 2025-26 NHL season — and that’s OK. After a 36–39–7 finish last year, missing the playoffs for the 14th straight season, Buffalo finds itself in the underdog lane again.
But in a league where pressure can break teams, Buffalo might just benefit from flying under the radar. Expectations are low — and that gives them breathing room to build, adapt, and surprise some rivals.
Why the Underdog Label Fits
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Long playoff drought: The Sabres carry the weight of missing postseason hockey for 14 straight years.
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Roster questions remain: The team still has to fill gaps left by major offseason moves (e.g., the departure of JJ Peterka)
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Competitive division: The Atlantic Division is crowded with teams that are expected to contend, making Buffalo’s path steeper.
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Cautious optimism from insiders: Analysts are realistic about how high Buffalo’s ceiling is this season, focusing more on growth than guarantees. What Could Turn Underdog to Contender
| Factor | Why It Matters | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Core players hitting stride | If Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch stay healthy and perform, Buffalo’s ceiling is higher than some believe. | Early season output from those players; how they handle matchups vs top teams |
| Defensive improvement | Buffalo has made moves (like adding Kesselring) to stabilize the back end. If the defense tightens, games stay in reach. | Goals against stats, penalty kill, defense pairing chemistry |
| Goaltending consistency | With Georgiev, Luukkonen, Levi, and Lyon in the mix, the Sabres’ success might hinge on who steps up. | Save percentages, goals allowed, injury news in crease |
| Undervalued motivation | Being ignored by preseason projections might free Buffalo from pressure, letting the team play looser and hungrier. | Quotes from players/coaches about mindset; how Buffalo treats early losses |
Risks That Could Derail Buffalo’s Push
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Injuries — to top players or goaltenders
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Depth breakdowns — if secondary scoring or role players don’t deliver
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Slumps during key stretches — especially in divisional games
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In-road adversity — for a young team, consistency across 82 games is a major hurdle
Looking Ahead: What Sabres Fans Should Keep Tabs On
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Opening month matchups — can Buffalo take advantage early?
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Standout games vs elite teams — how they perform under pressure
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Midseason trades or moves — will management tinker if things don’t go well?
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Narrative shifts — when (if) Buffalo gains media steam, how will expectations change?
Buffalo may not be the preseason darling. But underdog isn’t defeat. It’s a chance. A chance to prove doubters wrong, reshape narratives, and finally tilt momentum. If the Sabres can stay healthy, gel defensively, and get surprise contributions from depth players, this dark-horse label might just become a badge of honor.
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