The Sabres Are No Longer Hoping to Win - They Expect To
BUFFALO - For years, the Buffalo Sabres have had the talent. That was never the issue.
What they lacked was the grit, the maturity, and the consistency that separates playoff teams from the rest of the pack. But now, after a blistering 20-3-1 run that’s flipped the Eastern Conference conversation on its head, the Sabres aren’t just in the hunt - they’re hunting.
Heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Canadiens, Buffalo is riding a five-game win streak and playing some of the best hockey in the NHL. This isn’t a flash in the pan.
This is a team that’s found its identity - fast, relentless, and tough to play against. They’re not just skating by on talent anymore.
They’re grinding, defending, and imposing their will.
“We stopped hoping,” said winger Alex Tuch, who netted a hat trick in Thursday’s 4-1 win over the Kings. “It’s good.”
That quote says a lot. This group - once defined by a 14-year playoff drought, the longest in NHL history - is no longer wondering if they belong.
They believe it. And more importantly, they’re playing like it.
Tuch has been one of the emotional leaders through this resurgence. He’s always believed in the locker room’s potential, but he’s quick to point out that belief alone wasn’t enough.
What’s changed? The will.
The compete level. The commitment to doing the hard things - the dirty work that doesn’t show up on highlight reels but wins games in April and May.
“I thought we had the skill in the locker room to compete with anybody,” Tuch said. “But it was the will and determination that, I think, has really kicked up a couple notches.”
That edge, that mental toughness, has been the biggest difference-maker. The Sabres are no longer folding under pressure. They’re leaning into it.
And the results speak volumes. Since early December, Buffalo has looked like a different team - confident, composed, and in control.
They’re playing with pace, overwhelming opponents in transition, and backing it up with strong goaltending and defensive structure. They’re not just winning games; they’re dictating how they’re played.
Yes, there’s been hot stretches before. But this one feels different.
It’s not just a week or two of good hockey - it’s been nearly a quarter of the season. And the eye test backs it up: the Sabres are consistently outskating, outworking, and outsmarting their opponents.
This isn’t luck. It’s growth.
“We’re not here just to squeak in,” Tuch said. “We’re in here to try to keep winning.”
That mindset shift has been central to Buffalo’s surge. Earlier in the season, things looked shaky.
Injuries piled up, and the Sabres stumbled out of the gate. But head coach Lindy Ruff, in his second stint behind the bench, saw something brewing beneath the surface.
“We dealt with quite a bit of adversity early on,” Ruff said. “That adversity made us stronger. Nothing came easy.”
Ruff pointed to Thursday’s third period against Los Angeles as a snapshot of how far this team has come. After giving up 19 shots in the second period, the Sabres locked things down in the third, allowing just seven shots and closing the door with authority.
“That’s winning hockey,” Ruff said. “Don’t put a lot of risk in your game. And if you’re good enough at defending, it will be really hard for the other team to score a couple of goals.”
That’s been the theme lately: situational awareness, smart puck management, and a commitment to defense. Buffalo isn’t just trying to win 6-5 track meets anymore. They’re protecting leads, managing games, and trusting their structure.
And it’s not just the stars stepping up. The entire roster has bought in.
“You’re up by a goal, you’re up by two goals, we’re not shaking in our boots,” Tuch said. “We’re trying to jam it right back down their throats, taking advantage of opportunities when we have to.
We’re playing really good defense. … Our commitment to details and defense and defensive hockey has helped us become a top-10 team in the NHL.”
That defensive buy-in has been crucial. But just as important has been the evolution of their so-called “B game.” Not every night is going to be a masterpiece - and the Sabres have learned how to win even when they’re not at their best.
“If you’re not feeling yourself, or the team’s not maybe feeling it and making the nicest plays or anything, it’s just keeping it simple,” Tuch said. “It’s winning the small little battles.
It’s being on the right side of the puck. It’s just playing smart.”
That’s the kind of maturity that’s been missing in Buffalo for a long time.
Ruff credits puck management for helping the team stay in control even when the legs aren’t there or the execution is off.
“Not making things worse inside of a game,” he said. “(We’ve) probably shown a good deal of patience when you don’t quite have your legs, and (stayed) away from giving up real-high quality situations.”
It’s a subtle shift, but a massive one. And it’s why the Sabres are suddenly a team no one wants to face.
They’ve gone from hoping to win, to expecting it. From getting by on talent, to thriving on toughness. And if this version of the Sabres keeps showing up, they won’t just end that 14-year playoff drought - they might make some serious noise when they get there.