Sabres' Surprise Season: First in Atlantic

It's March 12th, here's your NHL news in two minutes.

The Buffalo Sabers have become one of Hockey's biggest surprises.

On March 9th, 2026, they hold first place in the Atlantic division with a record of 40

wins, 19 losses, and 6 ties for 86 points.

That's a four-point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning and just two points behind Carolina

for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Earlier this season, things look grim.

On December 8th, 2025, they lost seven to four against the Calgary Flames and sat dead

last in the east at 11 wins, 14 losses, and four ties.

But they've turned it around dramatically, going 29 wins, five losses, and two ties in their

last 36 games.

Fans in Buffalo have waited 14 long seasons for this after a playoff drought since the 2010

to 2011 year.

Multiple general managers tried rebuilds that fell short, but the current group under new

leadership has players buying in fully, ending years of.

Frustration for the whole organization, goal tending has been the game changer.

Uco Peca-Luconin improved his save percentage from 0.887 last year to 0.905 this season.

Back up Alex Lyon, signed in the off season, boasts 0.914 and has gone 15 wins, two losses

since mid-December.

The whole line up is contributing with better defense and inspired play.

Speaking ahead, the Sabers chased a division title in playoffs while adding toughness at

the trade deadline.

A key game against Tampa Bay comes April 6th in Buffalo at 7 p.m. eastern time.

They're close to clinching and could make history with one of their best point totals

ever.

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