ESPN NHL

Nearly as impressive as last century's comeback of the buffalo on the plains of North America after nearly getting wiped out by man, the Buffalo Sabres have rebuilt and are staging a return to the ranks of Eastern Conference playoff contenders this season.

Saved from bankruptcy by new owner B. Thomas Golisano earlier this year, the Sabres (6-5-1) are tied with Toronto for fifth in the Eastern Conference with 13 points, three behind first-place Boston, heading into Monday night's action. After missing the playoffs for the past two seasons, management made a number of changes since the end of last season and placed expectations on the team to return to the postseason.

After losing their first two games by a combined score of 8-0, the Sabres came together during a recent six-game, 11-day Western Conference road swing that was the longest in franchise history. Halfway through the trip, however, the team could have folded after a 6-1 loss at Vancouver on Oct. 20.

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