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Buffalo Sabres Continue Playoff Push
Heading into the 2023-24 NHL season, the Buffalo Sabres were poised to make a run for a playoff spot after the strong finish to the previous season. However, a combination of factors has dampened those expectations as the season winds down with just over two weeks remaining.
As of now, the Sabres find themselves eight points behind the Washington Capitals for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite this gap, there is a glimmer of hope in the Sabres’ 28 regulation wins, which puts them on equal footing with the Capitals and ahead of other wild-card contenders.
With nine games left in the season, the road to the playoffs won’t be easy for Buffalo. Seven of those matchups are against teams currently holding playoff positions, while the other two are crucial games against fellow wild-card contenders, the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings.
While the odds may seem stacked against them, the Sabres have a chance to make a statement in the upcoming games, especially in the crucial matchups against Washington that could potentially swing the playoff race in their favor.
Playoff Race and Draft Lottery
As the regular season enters its final stretch, it’s worth keeping an eye on all the playoff races across the league. Teams are jockeying for position not only in the playoffs but also in the NHL draft lottery, where the order of the first round is determined through a lottery system.
Currently, the Buffalo Sabres are in a tight spot, with every game holding significant importance as they strive to keep their playoff hopes alive. While the road ahead may be challenging, the Sabres have shown resilience throughout the season, and their fate still hangs in the balance as they push for a postseason berth.
Wednesday’s Game and Schedule
- Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
- Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Tuesday’s Scores
- Boston Bruins 4, Florida Panthers 3
- New York Rangers 6, Philadelphia Flyers 5 (OT)
- Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
- Washington Capitals 4, Detroit Red Wings 3 (OT)
- New Jersey Devils 6, Toronto Maple Leafs 3
- Nashville Predators 5, Vegas Golden Knights 4 (OT)
- Edmonton Oilers 4, Winnipeg Jets 3 (OT)
Current Standings
Atlantic Division
- Boston Bruins: 99 points, A1 position
- Florida Panthers: 97 points, A2 position
- Toronto Maple Leafs: 89 points, A3 position
- Washington Capitals: 85 points, WC1 position
Metropolitan Division
- New York Rangers: 100 points, M1 position
- Carolina Hurricanes: 97 points, M2 position
- Philadelphia Flyers: 82 points, M3 position
- Washington Capitals: 81 points, WC2 position
Central Division
- Dallas Stars: 99 points, C1 position
- Colorado Avalanche: 97 points, C2 position
- Winnipeg Jets: 94 points, WC1 position
Pacific Division
- Vancouver Canucks: 98 points, P1 position
- Edmonton Oilers: 87 points, P3 position
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL draft lottery plays a crucial role in determining the order of the first round, with the team finishing last not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As teams vie for playoff positions, the race for the top draft pick adds an extra layer of excitement to the league. Stay tuned for more updates on the playoff race and the upcoming draft lottery selection process.
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