The Buffalo Sabres looked destined for another frustrating season outside the Stanley Cup Playoffs after hovering around the .500 mark in mid-December.
That outlook changed dramatically following the departure of general manager Kevyn Adams. Buffalo went on an impressive run, eventually finishing first in its division for the first time since 2007 and ending a playoff drought that had stretched back to 2011—the longest active postseason drought in the NHL at the time.
The Sabres opened their playoff run by defeating divisional rival Boston Bruins in six games before their season ultimately ended against the Montreal Canadiens in a seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal series.
There are questions surrounding Buffalo heading into the upcoming season, particularly after the loss of forward Alex Tuch, who is now with the Washington Capitals. Still, the breakthrough campaign remains a memorable one for the players who experienced it, including star forward Tage Thompson.
Tage Thompson Describes Sabres’ ‘Dark Hole’
During an appearance on Daily Faceoff Live, Thompson reflected on the difficult position Buffalo found itself in before its remarkable turnaround.
The veteran forward said the players felt a strong sense of responsibility when the coaching staff and front office came under pressure.
“When your coach or your GM are on the chopping block, the guys in the room have a sense of responsibility,” Thompson explained. “We’re ultimately the ones that are putting them in that position.”
According to Thompson, the situation created an immediate sense of urgency inside the locker room.
The departure of Adams served as a reminder to the players that someone had ultimately paid the price for the team’s struggles. That helped reinforce the need for Buffalo’s players to find a solution themselves.
However, Thompson was careful not to credit Adams’ departure for the team’s turnaround.
“It’s unfortunate that Kevyn Adams had to leave, but I don’t think it had anything to do with the run,” Thompson said.
Sabres’ Season Ends in Heartbreaking Game 7
Buffalo advanced past Boston in the opening round but couldn’t complete the next step against Montreal.
The Sabres forced a decisive Game 7 after earning a dramatic 1-0 overtime victory on the road in Game 6, keeping their season alive when elimination appeared imminent.
Their run finally ended in Game 7 when Montreal forward Alex Newhook scored the series-clinching goal in overtime. His shot dipped past goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s glove, sending the Canadiens through and ending Buffalo’s postseason.
For Thompson, the defeat was especially painful because of the sacrifices made throughout the season.
“You look around the room after a loss like that and you feel pain,” Thompson said. “You just see all of the guys and all of the sacrifices and hard work they’ve put into this season.”
Thompson emphasized that the players weren’t simply working for themselves. They were pushing for one another, which made the eventual ending even more difficult to accept.
“I think everyone in the room felt like we were winning that game,” Thompson said.
Despite the disappointing finish, Buffalo’s historic turnaround gave the franchise something it had been missing for years: meaningful postseason hockey and a renewed belief that the Sabres can contend.