Sports Magic Numbers @SportsMagicNum
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Buffalo Sabres (BUF)

Eastern – Atlantic • Record: 2-2-0 (PTS 4)
Race:

Seed Chasing Pittsburgh Penguins for a wild card spot
Numbers Magic path: chasing wild card — 9 rivals contending for 2 spots
Magic # 161
Tragic # 160
Playoff odds 41.2%
Top 3 in division 27.0% • Wild card 14.3% • Division title 5.9%
Full league odds →
Magic counts down to clinching — drops as you gain points or bubble teams lose.
Tragic counts down to elimination — drops as you lose or the chaser gains points.

Tonight’s rooting guide


Live rooting guide — it updates as games go final, so items may disappear.
Showing remaining games that can still affect your numbers.
Your game
  • If Buffalo Sabres beat Utah Mammoth in regulation tonight, your Magic number -2.
    Magic -2
  • If Buffalo Sabres beat Utah Mammoth in OT/SO tonight, your Magic number -2.
    Magic -2
  • If Buffalo Sabres lose to Utah Mammoth in regulation tonight, your Magic number -2 and your Tragic number -2.
    Magic -2Tragic -2
  • If Buffalo Sabres lose to Utah Mammoth in OT/SO tonight, your Magic number -2 and your Tragic number -1.
    Magic -2Tragic -1

What-if explorer

Drag the sliders — the numbers recalculate instantly using the site's real playoff math.
If Buffalo Sabres go 5-5-0 while Pittsburgh Penguins go 4-6:
Magic # 161 → 141Magic -20 Tragic # 160 → 149Tragic -11
Assumes these games come against teams outside your race; every other rival's record stays as-is.

Draft lottery outlook

If the season ended today: lottery seed No. 10 — a 3.5% chance at the No. 1 pick and an expected pick of 9.6.

Full draft order & lottery simulator →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Buffalo Sabres magic number right now?

The Buffalo Sabres magic number is currently 161. Any combination of Buffalo Sabres points and losses by the team chasing them that adds up to 161 clinches a playoff spot.

What is the Buffalo Sabres tragic number?

The Buffalo Sabres tragic number is 160. When it hits 0 the team is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. It shrinks when the Buffalo Sabres lose or when the team chasing them gains ground.

What are the Buffalo Sabres playoff odds?

Based on 10,000 simulations of the remaining schedule, the Buffalo Sabres make the playoffs in about 41.2% of outcomes.

What is a magic number in hockey?

A magic number is the combined total of points a team must earn (and its closest chaser must fail to earn) to guarantee a playoff spot. In the NHL it counts standings points, since wins are worth 2 points and overtime losses 1.

When did the Buffalo Sabres last make the playoffs?

The Buffalo Sabres last made the NHL playoffs in 2025-26 — the most recently completed season.

When did the Buffalo Sabres last win the Stanley Cup?

The Buffalo Sabres have never won the Stanley Cup.

How often are these numbers updated?

Standings and magic numbers on Sports Magic Numbers refresh throughout the day and after every NHL game, so the numbers here reflect the live playoff race.

Full guide: how magic numbers work →