Sabres Fall in Shootout, Prepare for Playoff Clash with Bruins

Buffalo's regular season ends with a narrow loss, setting up a postseason showdown with Boston.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:44am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice rink broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color, the puck as the central focus.The Sabres and Bruins prepare to clash in an intense first-round playoff series, with both teams vying for a chance to advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Boston Today

The Buffalo Sabres wrapped up their regular season schedule with a 4-3 shootout defeat against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. Despite the narrow loss, the Sabres have secured a playoff berth and will now face off against the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Why it matters

The Sabres' playoff matchup with the Bruins is a highly anticipated clash between two fierce division rivals. Both teams have had strong seasons and will be looking to advance deep into the postseason, making this a must-watch series for hockey fans.

The details

The Sabres fought hard against the Stars, forcing overtime after rallying from a 3-1 deficit. However, Dallas prevailed in the shootout to hand Buffalo the narrow loss. Despite the defeat, the Sabres have secured their spot in the playoffs, where they will now take on the Boston Bruins in the opening round.

  • The Sabres' regular season ended on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.
  • The Sabres will face the Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The players

Buffalo Sabres

A professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York, and a member of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Boston Bruins

A professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of the NHL.

Dallas Stars

A professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of the NHL.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to face the Bruins in the playoffs. It's going to be a hard-fought series, but we're ready for the challenge.”

— Jack Eichel, Captain, Buffalo Sabres

What’s next

The Sabres and Bruins will begin their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The takeaway

The Sabres' narrow loss to the Stars sets up a highly anticipated playoff matchup with the Bruins, two teams with strong regular season records looking to make a deep postseason run.