The Buffalo Sabres' hopes for a postseason return have once again been dashed, marking a 14-year playoff drought, the longest in North American professional sports history. General Manager Kevyn Adams highlighted challenges attracting talent to Buffalo, noting the city’s lack of appeal compared to warmer climates. Despite offseason moves, including the buyout of Jeff Skinner and the addition of minor players, the Sabres failed to find the scoring punch needed to contend.

A significant early-season slump saw the team lose 13 consecutive games, which proved insurmountable. Players like Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are not matching their previous offensive outputs, and injuries have further complicated matters. While the core remains intact, including key players like Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, questions loom about whether the Sabres can finally escape their long-standing playoff purgatory.

April 8, 2025, features a packed NHL slate with top daily fantasy picks for DraftKings and FanDuel. Goalies like Anthony Stolarz are generating buzz due to their exceptional recent performance, while centers such as Evgeni Malkin are showing improvements despite team struggles. The day’s key players include Tage Thompson and Jiri Kulich, both of whom offer significant potential against weaker defenses. Creatively stacking players from high-scoring teams will be crucial for maximizing lineup potential.

The Buffalo Sabres secured a convincing 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, sweeping their season series with an impressive total of 17 goals scored against Ottawa this season. Despite their last-place standing in the Eastern Conference, the Sabres had a dominant performance, with Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin contributing early goals. Linus Ullmark's solid goaltending, including 17 saves, helped maintain Buffalo's lead throughout the match.

Tyler Kleven's goal for Ottawa was not enough, as the Sabres continued to capitalize on their chances, showcasing their offensive depth. With Brady Tkachuk sidelined due to injury, the Senators struggled, especially on the power play, going 0-for-4. Buffalo's Ryan McLeod capped off the scoring with a short-handed empty-netter, further cementing their victory.

In a thrilling contest, the Buffalo Sabres edged past the Ottawa Senators 3-2, highlighted by Tage Thompson's decisive goal early in the third period. This victory marked a significant milestone for head coach Lindy Ruff, who achieved his 600th win with the franchise, becoming only the second coach to reach this feat with a single team.

Jack Quinn and Jacob Bernard-Docker also found the back of the net for Buffalo, while James Reimer made a notable contribution, stopping 30 shots. The Senators, despite power-play goals from Brady Tkachuk and David Perron, faltered in maintaining their early leads, now facing a challenge to secure a playoff spot amidst stiff competition in the Eastern Conference.

Rasmus Dahlin firmly denied reports suggesting he wants to leave the Buffalo Sabres, expressing frustration over the speculation. He acknowledged dissatisfaction with the team's current performance but emphasized his commitment to improving the situation. Dahlin's remarks come amidst broader concerns about the Sabres’ roster, with many players reportedly unhappy due to the team's last-place status and lack of direction. Experts say while Dahlin's commitment is clear, it’s likely others may consider leaving if the team undergoes a rebuild.

Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discussed these insights, noting that Dahlin, along with Tage Thompson, hasn't been involved in trade talks, which adds to the intrigue around their long-term future with the team. The overall sentiment in the locker room points to discontent among players, raising questions about the Sabres' ability to retain their top talents if changes aren’t made.