‘Buffalo (26-19-3) has three regulation wins on a four-game road trip that concludes Saturday in Minnesota, and with 55 points through 48 games, the Sabres closed in on the Penguins (57 points in 48 games), who lost in a shootout Thursday against the Capitals (58 points in 51 games). The second win streak of five or more games this season gives Buffalo a 48% chance of ending its NHL-record playoff drought at 11 seasons, according to MoneyPuck.com, with a points percentage (.573) that rates eighth in the conference.’