Buffalo Sabres Playoff Chances
W–L–OT 2‑3‑0 · 4 pts
2 points behind WC2.
Make playoffs: 43%
Data checked Oct 11, 2026, 8:05 PM MDT · based on completed games in this snapshot
Next game: vs Florida Panthers
Mon, Oct 12 · Playoff chance if…
Regulation win
47%
OT/SO win
46%
OT/SO loss
42%
Regulation loss
37%
The Sabres are 2‑3‑0 with 4 points and are 2 points behind WC2. They make the playoffs in 43% of simulated seasons and are projected to finish with about 92 points.
Upcoming games
at Montreal Canadiens · Tue, Oct 13
Playoff chance if…
Regulation win
47%
OT/SO win
46%
OT/SO loss
43%
Regulation loss
37%
at Toronto Maple Leafs · Thu, Oct 15
Playoff chance if…
Regulation win
47%
OT/SO win
44%
OT/SO loss
41%
Regulation loss
38%
at Montreal Canadiens · Sat, Oct 17
Playoff chance if…
Regulation win
46%
OT/SO win
46%
OT/SO loss
43%
Regulation loss
38%
vs Philadelphia Flyers · Wed, Oct 21
Playoff chance if…
Regulation win
47%
OT/SO win
47%
OT/SO loss
42%
Regulation loss
37%
Estimates are rounded; small differences may reflect simulation variation. A scenario needs at least 500 simulated seasons to be shown; otherwise it reads "Unavailable".
Full odds
Final position (exactly one happens; adds to 100%)
- 1st in division
- 9%
- 2nd in division
- 10%
- 3rd in division
- 11%
- WC1
- 7%
- WC2
- 7%
- Miss playoffs
- 57%
Achievements (can overlap; do not add up)
- 1st in conference
- 4%
- Presidents' Trophy
- 2%
- Reach Round 2
- 21%
- Reach Conference Final
- 10%
- Reach Stanley Cup Final
- 5%
- Win Stanley Cup
- 3%
Projected points: 92 (range 81–102)
The range covers the middle 80% of simulated final-points outcomes (10th to 90th percentile).
Projected WC2 points: 95
Median final points of the second wild-card team in our simulations. This is a reference point, not a guaranteed qualifying total.
Points comparison
Maximum possible points: 162 (79 games remaining)
Points comparison vs Washington: 157
Washington points earned + Buffalo points dropped from its remaining maximum.
When that combination reaches 157, Washington is guaranteed to finish ahead of Buffalo on points. That would not by itself eliminate Buffalo.
This is a two-team comparison, not a playoff-clinching number.
91 more points in 79 games to reach the projected WC2 total (a 57.6% points percentage — not winning percentage).
Atlantic Division
FAQ
Can the Sabres make the playoffs?
We have no verified clinch or elimination for the Sabres, so the answer is an estimate. In our simulations they reach the playoffs in 43% of seasons. Only the official NHL standings can confirm a clinch or elimination.
What are the Sabres' playoff chances?
The Sabres make the playoffs in 43% of 20,000 simulated seasons, win the Atlantic Division in 9% and win the Stanley Cup in 3%. Every remaining game is treated as a toss-up, with overtime and shootout points included.
How many points do the Sabres need to make the playoffs?
There is no single guaranteed total: it depends on how other teams finish, division places and tiebreakers. In our simulations, the second wild-card team in the Eastern Conference finishes with a median of 95 points. That is an estimate and a reference point, not a guaranteed qualifying total. The Sabres are projected to finish with about 92 points (middle 80% of simulations: 81–102).