After 14 consecutive seasons without a Stanley Cup playoff appearance - the longest streak in NHL history - Buffalo secured a spot without playing.
Hours before Buffalo's away game against Washington, Detroit fell 1–4 to the New York Rangers, meaning Buffalo clinched a playoff spot.
The last time Buffalo, where Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is the team captain, reached the Stanley Cup playoffs was in 2011.
Ottawa is also chasing the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, but the team suffered a heavy home loss to Minnesota, 1–4, in a game that also featured a duel between two Swedish goalies. Jesper Wallstedt made 33 saves to beat Linus Ullmark, who made 19 saves.
Minnesota defenseman Jonas Brodin scored one of the goals.
