As a fan of self mutilation and self shame, I looked back 11 years to see if we're truly in uncharted territory on this date in the playoff-less Pegula Era (see how nice I've become?).
The only times we've been close to a playoff position on January 30 were in 2017 (20-19-9 and 7 points back) and 2019 (25-19-6 and 3 back). In 2012 and 2020 the records weren't terrible, but they were FAIAP out of it. The rest will not be spoken of again until 50 years after our deaths.
(In 2021 the season had just begun. The Sabres were 4-3-2.)