The Sabres win the division for the first time since 2010

Chicago, IL, (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres have pulled off what seemed impossible on Dec. 8. The Sabres were in last place in the Eastern Conference and third last place in the NHL with a point percentage of .448. From that point until they clinched the Atlantic Division title on Monday in Chicago with a 5-1 win over the Blackhawks, Buffalo led the NHL with a points percentage of .778. The Sabres were 39-9-4 for 82 points. The Carolina Hurricanes who won the Eastern Conference had a points percentage of .708 going 35-13-5 for 75 points. Buffalo had 13 more points than the Presidents Trophy winning Colorado Avalanche. Thompson has been here through the good and bad and is proud of what they've done,

"For sure we've been through a lot and I think it's my eighth year, a lot of years of adversity, a lot of challenges and I think that journey makes the destination feel that much better and the exciting part is that's not the final destination for us in a sense it's just a start.

"Unbelievable job by our group from December on getting us to the place we're at right now, home ice is a huge advantage in playoffs and being able to give these fans that is something pretty special and it's just an opportunity to keep what we have here going and turn it into something special."

Rasmus Dahlin wasn't wearing the division winning hat because he has bigger goals in mind. He said,

"We have one goal in mind now and it's kind of hard to celebrate now knowing we have unbelievable challenges in front of us here, now we're just going to switch focus to the playoffs, we have to get ready."

The captain of course knows a lot went into getting to where they are and he added,

"We've had a hell of a year so far, we've done a lot of great things, we've come together as a group, we found ways to win tight games and that's been our best attribute this year. We have guys that can score and guys that can shut down and we have a stacked lineup."

As far as what it's going to be like for Game 1 of the playoffs Dahlin can't wait,

"I don't think anyone can even imagine what it's going to be like, it's going to be crazy. I know how happy the city is, how long they've waited for this, so I'll be so happy for all the Buffalonians it's a special feeling for sure to give them what they want, it's been a long time."

Alex Tuch had limited excitement after the game. He said,

"It's awesome, I'm really proud of this group, it's another step in the right direction, it feels really good, but we've got bigger goals in mind, so we'll get some good momentum going into the playoffs, but it doesn't mean anything if you don't lift the ultimate trophy at the end of year."

Lindy Ruff was of course proud of his team, but when Tuesday morning hits, winning the division is over,

"It means a lot, division champions from where we came from in December and I'm going to enjoy this hat for one day and I'm going to work on the next hat."

Buffalo was second in goals for averaging 3.73 goals per game and No. 1 in goals against at 2.58 goals against per game. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was second in the league with a save percentage of .919 and fifth in goals against at 2.36.

In those 52 games Thompson has 27 goals and 31 assists for 58 points. Dahlin has 17 goals and 37 assists for 54 points in 51 games and Tuch has 22 goals and 18 assists for 40 points in 49 games.

In the deciding game on Monday, Buffalo gave up a shorthanded goal early and dominated the rest of the game. Chicago only had nine shots on Luukkonen after 40 minutes.

Early in the third period leading 2-1, the Sabres handed the Blackhawks a 5-on-3 for 1:13. Tuch, Mattias Samuelsson and Conor Timmins not only killed the entire two-man advantage, they didn't allow a shot.

Thompson netted two goals to reach the 40 goal mark for the third time in four seasons. In those four years Thompson is sixth overall scoring 160 goals.

The Sabres close out the season Wednesday at home against the Dallas Stars. The game means nothing so if I were the coach, Luukkonen would not be allowed anywhere near the bench. I'd have Colten Ellis start and call up Devon Levi to back him up. Dahlin, Samuelsson and Bo Byram would all be sitting as would Thompson, Tuch and Josh Norris. Those guys are too valuable for the playoffs to be risking injury in a meaningless game.

Here would be my lineup:

Zucker - McLeod - Quinn

Benson - Krebs - Doan

Greenway - Kozak - Malenstyn

Pearson - Dunne - Wahlberg

Power - Metsa

Stanley - Schenn

Kesselring - Timmins

Ellis

Levi