The Buffalo Sabres have been on a tear, and their recent 40-game run is turning heads across the NHL. Sporting a 32-6-2 record, the Sabres have skyrocketed from the depths of the Eastern Conference to the top of the Atlantic Division, now sharing the summit of the Eastern Conference with the Carolina Hurricanes. This kind of surge hasn't been seen since the Detroit Red Wings in the mid-90s.
Fans might be wondering if the Sabres can keep up this blistering pace, but they just keep proving the doubters wrong. With the Presidents' Trophy - awarded to the team with the best regular-season record - within reach, the Sabres are making a serious case for themselves.
As of Friday, only the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars have more points than the Sabres, with the Avalanche at 98 and the Stars at 96. Both teams have games in hand, with the Avalanche having played two fewer games and the Stars one less than the Sabres.
While the Avalanche have hit a rough patch, losing four of their last five games, the Stars are on a roll, boasting an 8-1-1 record over their last 10 games. But the road ahead isn't easy for Dallas, with challenging matchups against the Minnesota Wild and the Avalanche, culminating in a potentially decisive showdown in Western New York against the Sabres.
Could the final regular-season game be a battle for the Presidents' Trophy? If the Sabres maintain their current form, it's certainly within the realm of possibility. For a team that hasn't tasted playoff action in 14 seasons, clinching the top spot in the NHL would be nothing short of extraordinary.
The Sabres have hoisted the Presidents' Trophy before, back in 2006-07 under Lindy Ruff, tying the franchise record with 113 points. With a point percentage of .825 over this 40-game stretch, matching that historic mark is within reach if they sustain this level over the remaining 13 games.
It might seem like a long shot, but this season has taught fans not to underestimate the Sabres. Winning the Presidents' Trophy is just one of the many possibilities for this resilient team.