The Buffalo Sabres are starting to play like a team that understands what’s at stake - and that’s exactly what you want to see as the calendar flips to February.
With every game feeling more and more like a playoff preview, the Sabres are leaning into the urgency. Their recent stretch has been marked by a noticeable uptick in intensity, structure, and execution - the kind of hockey that separates contenders from pretenders. And while the standings remain tight, Buffalo is showing signs they’re ready to make a serious push.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Sabres’ top players are driving the bus. Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Alex Tuch have all stepped up their games.
Tuch, in particular, has been a force - playing with the kind of physical edge and offensive assertiveness that makes him a matchup nightmare. He’s not just skating hard; he’s making smart, high-impact plays at both ends of the ice.
Against Montréal on Saturday night, Tuch was relentless. He generated scoring chances, threw his weight around, and played with the type of playoff-style grit that’s contagious. That kind of effort is exactly what Buffalo needs if they’re going to claw their way into the postseason conversation.
But it’s not just the stars doing the heavy lifting. The Sabres’ depth has quietly become a strength.
Players like Peyton Krebs and JJ Peterka are finding ways to contribute - whether it’s on the forecheck, on special teams, or in key defensive moments. That secondary scoring and energy are essential, especially in games where the top line doesn’t dominate.
Goaltending, too, has been a stabilizing factor. Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have both had their moments, and while the crease situation hasn’t always been crystal clear, the Sabres are getting timely saves - and that’s all you can ask for when the games tighten up.
Head coach Don Granato deserves credit here. He’s kept the group focused and accountable, even when the results haven’t always followed.
His message has been consistent: play fast, play connected, and trust the process. And right now, the Sabres are buying in.
One thing that’s become clear: Buffalo is learning how to win the hard way. They’re grinding out victories, managing the puck smarter, and leaning into the kind of physicality that’s required this time of year. It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective - and it’s a big reason why they’re staying in the mix.
The Sabres know there’s no margin for error. The Eastern Conference playoff race is a logjam, and every point matters. But if they continue to play with this level of urgency and discipline, they’re going to give themselves a real shot.
This is a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2011. That’s a long drought, and the players feel that weight.
But instead of letting it crush them, they’re using it as fuel. The message in the locker room is clear: the time is now.
Buffalo’s next few games will tell us a lot about where this team is headed. But if recent performances are any indication, the Sabres aren’t just hoping to be part of the playoff picture - they’re fighting to belong in it.