The Buffalo Sabres’ victory over the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs ended a 19-year drought without a series win, a period of organizational futility unmatched in the NHL since the advent of the salary-cap era. According to the report on Deadspin, the Sabres had not advanced past the opening round since 2007, a stretch that saw the franchise cycle through nine general managers and seven head coaches. The win underscores a deeper shift: Buffalo finally leveraged a core built through high draft picks and cap-efficient contracts. But the Bruins, a team that finished second in the Atlantic Division, will scrutinize their goaltending and defensive breakdowns as the offseason begins. The Sabres now face an unresolved question: whether this breakthrough signals a sustained contender or merely a single season’s respite.