TL;DR
The Buffalo Sabres will host their first playoff game in 15 years after securing the Atlantic Division championship. This marks the end of a 14-year playoff drought for the team.
Sabres notch another special feat in magical season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's official: The Buffalo Sabres' first playoff game in 15 years will be at home.
Since being eliminated in April 2011 from the postseason, the Sabres have been in the desert. They have spent 14 consecutive playoffs at home.
Not this time. These Sabres not only are going to the postseason, but they're doing so as Atlantic Division champions.
That was secured officially Monday night when the Tampa Bay Lightning managed an overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings.
MORE:Red Wings take over Sabres' depressing playoff status
That'll be one of the hottest tickets in Buffalo in a long, long time.
Sabres fans are loyal, and they've waited for this. Now it's here, back in the playoffs, Game 1 at home.
The date and time haven't been announced by the NHL yet, but you can bet that building will be rocking no matter what.
The Sabres haven't been a division champion since 2009-10, as that strong era of Buffalo hockey wound down.
Now, out of nowhere, they've awoken again.
They were in last place in the Eastern Conference on Dec. 8.
Now, they're probably going to be the 2-seed, which would lead to a matchup with either the Boston Bruins or Ottawa Senators in the opening round.
Sabres fans will fill the building with constant noise no matter who the foe is. They've waited a long time for this.
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