Buffalo Sabres' record NHL playoff drought ends: Here's how they did it

TheBuffalo Sabresare back in the NHL playoffs, ending a league-record postseason drought of 14 seasons.

All they had to do was change the messenger.

The Sabres clinched their first playoff berth since 2010-11 with the Detroit Red Wings' loss in the afternoon on Saturday, April 4.

It was looking like the streak could hit 15 when Buffalo sat in last place in the Eastern Conference on Dec. 8. The Sabres won three in a row to get back to .500, thenfired general manager Kevyn Adamson Dec. 15 and promoted Jarmo Kekalainen to the position.

The team took off, extending its winning streak to 10 games. Entering Saturday, Buffalo has gone 32-8-4 under the former Columbus Blue Jackets GM. The Sabres have their first 100-point season since 2009-10 and are looking for their first division title since that season.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.

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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season

Kevyn Adams' tenure

Adams, the general manager since 2020-21, brought in some of the players on this team, such as Alex Tuch, Josh Norris, Jason Zucker, Bowen Byram, Ryan McLeod and Josh Doan. He also traded away Jack Eichel (after a dispute over what type of neck surgery he should have), Sam Reinhart, Dylan Cozens and J.J. Peterka. Eichel and Reinhart won Stanley Cup titles after their trades.

Adams drew some criticism last season when he explained the difficulty of drawing free agents to Buffalo and why players often include the city on their no-trade lists.

"We don't have palm trees," he told reporters. "We have taxes in New York."

Adams last season brought back coach Lindy Ruff, who had been coach of the 2010-11 playoff team. But the Sabres continued their pattern of early-season swoons — 0-10-3 this time — and finished 12 points out of a playoff spot.

Buffalo traded No. 2 scorer Peterka to Utah in the offseason and opened the season 0-3. Fans began chanting for Adams' firing and it finally happened in December.

Jarmo Kekalainen's tenure

Teams often get a bump from a coaching change, but a front office change can also have an impact because a general manager can decide a player's future.

Kekalainen noted that his focus was going to be on work ethic, saying the team had lost some games by being outworked.

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"You've got to work, you've got to compete and you've got to be relentless," he said after being named general manager. "That's what I want the identity of the Buffalo Sabres to be."

He added that he "firmly" believed that Sabres could be a playoff team.

Kekalainen had been hired as a senior adviser in May. He had been aggressive in Columbus, hanging on to pending free agents Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin and adding to a team that shockingly swept the No. 1 overall Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round in 2019.

After he was promoted in Buffalo, he revamped the front office and held on to Ruff. He gave a contract extension to Doan, who was acquired in the Peterka trade. But with the team surging, there was little need to change the players.

The general manager made moves at the deadline to beef up the team's depth. He traded for Colton Parayko, but it fell through when the defensemandeclined to waive his no-trade clause. He pivoted to add big, rugged defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn. He also added Sam Carrick, who's strong on faceoffs, and depth forward Tanner Pearson.

A sign that the Sabres were for real was when they defeated the Lightning 8-7 in a game thatfeatured tons of goals and penalty minutes.

What's next for the Sabres?

They will try to win the Atlantic Division title and still have a chance to be the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

There isn't a lot of playoff experience in this core because of the long drought. However, Schenn and Pearson are former Stanley Cup winners and McLeod has been to the Final. Tuch has played 66 postseason games and Zucker has played 52.

And Ruff has coached 101 playoff games, winning 57. He took the Sabres to the 1999 Final.

Who has the longest playoff drought?

The Detroit Red Wings are at nine seasons, the Anaheim Ducks are at seven and the San Jose Sharks are at six. But heading into Saturday's game, the Ducks are second in the Pacific Division, the Sharks hold the second wild-card spot in the West and the Red Wings sit one spot below the playoff line in the East.

The Chicago Blackhawks have been eliminated, and their playoff drought is at six seasons.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sabres back in NHL playoffs after 14 seasons; how they ended drought

bySator Tenet

in

April 04, 2026

Buffalo Sabres' record NHL playoff drought ends: Here's how they did it

TheBuffalo Sabresare back in the NHL playoffs, ending a league-record postseason drought of 14 seasons. All t...

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'Price is Right' producer defends show after Bob Barker allegations

Roger Dobkowitz, a longtime producer on"The Price is Right,"is speaking out after a recent documentary series featured allegations against hostBob Barker.

Dobkowitz, who had a 36-season run on the Daytime Emmy-winning show from 1972 to 2008, weighed in on E!'s"Dirty Rotten Scandals,"a show that pulls back the curtain on classic television series through behind-the-scenes exposés.

The series' two-part segment on "The Price is Right," which aired on March 18, included allegations from several of the game show's former models, whodescribed a culture of sexual harassmentthat pervaded production during the show's early years.

In a March 29Facebook post, Dobkowitz said he initially "avoided commenting" on the docuseries because he "didn't want to add any social traction to such an obvious 'hit piece.'"

'Price is Right' allegations:Game show models allege harassment during Bob Barker era

"The 'documentary' should just quietly disappear into the bottom of a TV equivalent of a waste basket along with all the other forgotten so-called 'exposés,'" Dobkowitz, 80, continued. "There are some people in this world who will happily exaggerate and create falsehoods in order to justify a personal hateful vendetta against a person in order to draw attention to themselves."

USA TODAY has reached out to Dobkowitz and the E! network for comment.

Former 'Price is Right' producer says Bob Barker accusers are not 'brave'

Holly Hallstrom, who was a "Barker's Beauties" model from 1977 to 1995,alleged on "Dirty Rotten Scandals"that Barker often silenced women who complained about incidents of sexual harassment on set.

"If anyone had gone to Bob because Bob was in charge of the show and said, 'I have a problem. I have a complaint.' He would have told her to get over it or look for a new job," said Hallstrom, who also accused the game show host of having an affair with fellow model Dian Parkinson.

Barker, who retired as "Price of Right" host in 2007, died in 2023.

"Making the situation worse is the fact that the accused is deceased, and therefore, making it impossible for the accused to defend himself," Dobkowitz wrote on Facebook. "The adjective 'brave' should never be used in reference to a person attacking a dead person."

Barker faced his fair share of legal troubles during his stint on the iconic game show. In 1994, Parkinson filed an $8 million sexual harassment lawsuit, though Barker denied the charges, and Parkinson withdrew the suit a year later.

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It's hard to say goodbye, but fans of these TV shows will have to do just that in 2026. From fantasy epics like Starz's "Outlander" (starring Sam Heughan, left, and Caitriona Balfe, pictured) to talk shows like "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and "Late Night With Stephen Colbert," these 20 shows are ending this year.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jeff Daniels, left, and Stephen Colbert on CBS's "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." The show is set to end in May 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Homelander (Antony Starr, left) and Ryan (Cameron Crovetti) in "The Boys." The Prime Video comic book adaptation will conclude with the fifth and final season.

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" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> David Tennant (as Crowley) and Michael Sheen (Aziraphale) in "Good Omens." The Prime Video series will return for a 90-minute concluding film in 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Netflix's fantasy juggernaut "The Witcher" will have one final season in 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Andie MacDowell in "The Way Home" on Hallmark, which has a fourth and final season in 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Netflix teen drama "Outer Banks" will end after a fifth season this year.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Wanda Sykes speaks to Sherri Shepherd on "Sherri." It's another talk show taking a final bow in 2026.

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" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Wanda Sykes' Netflix sitcom "The Upshaws" is ending after a Part 7 on the streaming service.

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Say it isn't so! These TV shows are ending in 2026

It's hard to say goodbye, but fans of these TV shows will have to do just that in 2026. From fantasy epics like Starz's "Outlander" (starring Sam Heughan, left, andCaitriona Balfe, pictured) to talk shows like "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and "Late Night With Stephen Colbert," these 20 shows are ending this year.

Barker later sued Hallstrom for libel and slander after she told news outlets that she was fired because she gained weight through medication. He eventually dropped the lawsuit 48 hours before trial, and Hallstrom later countersued him for wrongful termination and malicious prosecution.

"Most people in society and individuals move on with their lives, especially after courtrooms have settled disputes and they are closed," Dobkowitz continued. "When someone feels the compulsion to constantly bring it up for another 30 years is a sign that something could be wrong with their capacity to reason maturely."

'Price is Right' producer Roger Dobkowitz says game show was a 'happy place'

Dobkowitz isn't the only one standing by Barker and "The Price is Right."

In a March 18 statement to USA TODAY, Barker's longtime representative, Roger Neal, denied any allegations of sexual misconduct against Barker or the show.

"Barker was and is beloved, and people to this day love him," Neal said at the time.  "He was part of the fabric of American pop culture. He was the greatest MC in TV history. I was honored to have represented him."

Dobkowitz echoed the sentiment in his Facebook post, saying the game show was a "happy place."

"Our working environment was the envy of other shows," Dobkowitz wrote. "Staff rarely quit…the dozens of women who were in our repertoire of models came back year after year, happy to be on our show."

He added, "The only unhappy people, as would be found in any company, were the ones that didn't get the raise they wanted, the ones that didn't get the promotion they thought they deserved and the ones that were terminated for not doing their job."

Dobkowitz joined the production staff of "The Price is Right" in 1972 and became a producer in 1984. During his decadeslong tenure, he created 18 of the show's pricing games and won five Daytime Emmy Awards.

"Someday, when I write my book, (if anyone still cares by then), my 36 years of observations with Bob, the models and the staff will clear up lots of misconceptions and dismiss many wrongful accusations," Dobkowitz concluded. "I was there for 36 years. I was on that stage."

Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Price is Right' producer defends show after Bob Barker documentary

bySator Tenet

in

April 04, 2026

'Price is Right' producer defends show after Bob Barker allegations

Roger Dobkowitz, a longtime producer on"The Price is Right,"is speaking out after a recent documentary series ...

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Dee Freeman, “The Young and the Restless” and “ER ”actress, dies at 66 after lung cancer diagnosis

Dee Freeman, a character actress who appeared on shows likeThe Young and the RestlessandER, has died. She was 66.

The actress' familyconfirmedher death in an Instagram post on Friday.

"On behalf of her family, it is with deepest sadness that we share this update with you," the post read. "Dee passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026 after a brave and fearless fight with cancer.  Thank you to everyone who supported Dee during her battle. It blew her away to know how many people cared about her and were pulling for her. We know Dee is up there in heaven being the force of nature she always was. Now she's doing it with her angel wings on. Rest in peace, Dee."

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Freeman appeared in three episodes ofThe Young and the Restless, first playing a nurse in an ep in 1997 and again as a nurse in two episodes in 2009. She also acted in 24 episodes of the comedy showPretty the Seriesbetween 2010 and 2015. She most recently appeared in the Tyler Perry showSistasin January.

Born in Louisiana in 1959, Freeman joined the Marines before becoming an actress. She made her screen debut in a 1995 episode ofCoach, and appeared on shows likeParty of Fiveand3rd Rock from the Sunthe following year. Later in the 1990s, she appeared in episodes of shows likeSeinfeld,Caroline in the City,Suddenly Susan,Kenan & Kel,The Gregory Hines Show,Silk Stockings, andRude Awakenings. She also appeared in movies likeRed Meatstarring Lara Flynn Boyle andThe Landladystarring Talia Shire in this period.

This is a developing story.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

bySator Tenet

in

April 04, 2026

Dee Freeman, “The Young and the Restless” and “ER ”actress, dies at 66 after lung cancer diagnosis

Dee Freeman, a character actress who appeared on shows likeThe Young and the RestlessandER, has died. She was 66. ...

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Charlie Day shares awkward moment disrobing for Jennifer Aniston: 'Never felt less attractive'

Charlie Dayis reflecting on his extremely awkward first day withJennifer Anistonon the set ofHorrible Bosses.

Speaking withEntertainment Weeklyto promote the release ofThe Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Day, alongside co-starChris Pratt, was asked to review photos from previous on-screen roles. When it came to a scene from the 2011 comedy in which Day is bitten on the ear by Aniston, theIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphiastar joked it was actually a "private photograph" of the two together snapped by paparazzi.

In reality, the pic came from one of many scenes in the film in which Day's character, dental assistant Dale Arbus, is sexually harassed by boss Dr. Julia Harris, played by Aniston.

Day recounted one particular scene from the movie, which also starredJason BatemanandJason Sudeikis, in which Aniston's Dr. Harris uses revealing photos of Dale as blackmail.

"Our very first day of filming, we actually had to [shoot] the photographs that she bribes me with," Day recalled.

"That was like, 'Hi, how are you. Alright, pardon me, I'm going to take all of my clothes off.' I never felt pastier and doughier and just less attractive," he continued as Pratt laughed.

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In the comedy, Dale, along with his friends Nick Hendricks (Bateman) and Kurt Buckman (Sudeikis), plot to murder their overbearing, abusive bosses, portrayed by Aniston,Kevin SpaceyandColin Farrell.

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

Day reprises his role as Luigi inThe Super Mario Galaxy Movie.The animated sequel toThe Super Mario Bros. Movie.also stars Pratt (Mario),Anya Taylor-Joy(Princess Peach), andJack Blackas Bowser, the King of the Koopas.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movieis now playing in theaters.

Additional reporting by Gerrad Hall.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

bySator Tenet

in

April 04, 2026

Charlie Day shares awkward moment disrobing for Jennifer Aniston: 'Never felt less attractive'

Charlie Dayis reflecting on his extremely awkward first day withJennifer Anistonon the set ofHorrible Bosses. ...

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