The Buffalo Sabres secured the Atlantic Division title with a 5-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on April 14. Tage Thompson scored his 39th and 40th goals of the season, helping the team lock in as the No. 2 overall seed in the Eastern Conference.
This achievement marks Buffalo’s seventh division title and their first since the 2009-10 season. The win was also their 50th of the year, making this squad only the third in franchise history to reach that milestone, alongside teams from 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Thompson became just the fifth player in Sabres history to record three seasons with at least forty goals, joining Rick Martin, Gilbert Perreault, Danny Gare, and Pat LaFontaine. Rasmus Dahlin surpassed Rene Robert for sole possession of fifth place on Buffalo’s all-time assist list with his 331st assist. Dahlin’s pass set up Alex Tuch for a goal that gave Buffalo a two-goal lead early in the third period.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made fifteen saves for Buffalo after being drafted by the team in 2017. The Sabres fell behind early but rallied as veteran players contributed key plays throughout all three periods.
Buffalo will conclude its regular season at home against Dallas Stars on Wednesday during Fan Appreciation Night at KeyBank Center.
