Make the playoffs · as of Thu, Nov 5
As of Thursday, November 5, the Buffalo Sabres have a 60.9% chance to make the playoffs, down 11.8 points since yesterday, and a 6.3% chance to win the Atlantic. They project to 99 points (likely 87 to 110), from 10,000 simulations.
Not yet in their own hands
At their current points %
Opponents' points %, 5th hardest of 32
Who should Sabres fans root for tonight?
Change in Sabres playoff odds if your pick wins in regulation instead of losing in regulation, Thu, Nov 5.
Root for Golden Knights over Red Wings+0.9
Root for Blackhawks over Lightning+0.5
Root for Mammoth over Canadiens+0.5
Root for Blues over Devils+0.4
Root for Hurricanes over Islanders+0.3
Root for Penguins over Bruins+0.3
Root for Flyers over Rangers+0.2
Root for Stars over Blue Jackets+0.2
Canucks at JetsBarely matters
Ducks at OilersBarely matters
Predators at AvalancheBarely mattersEastern Conference playoff race
Playoff picture| # | Team | GP | Pts | Playoffs | 1 day | Div | Proj |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hurricanes | 17 | 26 | 99% | −0.1 | 80% | 114 |
| 2 |  Lightning | 14 | 20 | 89% | −0.2 | 31% | 107 |
| 3 |  Bruins | 16 | 23 | 88% | −1.0 | 26% | 107 |
| 4 |  Canadiens | 15 | 21 | 88% | −0.5 | 26% | 107 |
| 5 |  Devils | 15 | 20 | 73% | +0.7 | 10% | 99 |
| 6 |  Senators | 17 | 21 | 63% | +7.8 | 7% | 99 |
| 7 |  Sabres | 15 | 17 | 61% | −11.8 | 6% | 99 |
| 8 |  Capitals | 14 | 16 | 56% | −0.6 | 5% | 95 |
| 9 |  Islanders | 14 | 16 | 46% | −0.7 | 3% | 94 |
| 10 |  Panthers | 16 | 20 | 42% | +7.3 | 3% | 95 |
| 11 |  Red Wings | 16 | 17 | 23% | −0.3 | <1% | 90 |
| 12 |  Blue Jackets | 13 | 12 | 21% | +0.6 | <1% | 87 |
| 13 |  Rangers | 16 | 17 | 20% | +0.3 | <1% | 87 |
| 14 |  Maple Leafs | 17 | 18 | 13% | −0.3 | <1% | 87 |
| 15 | Penguins | 15 | 12 | 12% | −0.7 | <1% | 84 |
| 16 | Flyers | 17 | 12 | 5% | −0.5 | <1% | 80 |
Sorted by playoff odds. GP and points from the official NHL standings; odds, division-title chances and projected points from the Tonight.hockey model. “1 day” is the change in playoff odds since yesterday, in percentage points.
Sabres playoff chances and magic number
- What are the Sabres' playoff chances?
- As of Thursday, November 5, the Buffalo Sabres have a 60.9% chance to make the playoffs (down 11.8 points since yesterday) and a 6.3% chance to win the Atlantic Division, from 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season.
- What is the Sabres' magic number?
- The Sabres cannot clinch on their own yet: guaranteeing a spot would take more than the 138 points left in their 69 games, so it still depends on other results.
- How many points will the Sabres finish with?
- The model projects about 99 points, with 87 to 110 as the likely range (10th to 90th percentile). At their current points percentage they would finish with 95.
- How hard is the Sabres' remaining schedule?
- Their 69 remaining opponents have an average points percentage of 0.571 in the official standings, the 5th hardest remaining schedule of 32 teams. Early in the season this moves a lot.
- Who should Sabres fans root for tonight?
- The game that matters most is Golden Knights at Red Wings: root for the Golden Knights, worth +0.9 points of playoff odds compared with a Red Wings regulation win.
Updated from official NHL results; odds hold still for the day and move after each night's games. How the playoff model works · Sabres schedule · Sabres tonight