Bruins and Sabres Set for First-Round NHL Playoff Clash

Boston returns to postseason after missing out last year, ready to take on Buffalo

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:13pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres, with the players and the ice rink broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The first-round playoff clash between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres promises to be a hard-fought and closely contested series, with both teams vying for a chance to advance in the NHL postseason.Boston Today

The Boston Bruins have clinched the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, securing a return to the NHL playoffs after failing to make the postseason last year. The Bruins will now face off against the Buffalo Sabres in the first round, setting up an intriguing matchup between the two teams.

Why it matters

The Bruins' return to the playoffs is a significant accomplishment, as they look to make a deep run and compete for the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, the Sabres will be seeking their first postseason victory in several years, making this a high-stakes clash between two franchises with passionate fan bases.

The details

The Bruins secured their playoff berth by finishing the regular season strong and earning the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They will now take on the Sabres, who had a solid season and earned a playoff spot of their own. This first-round series promises to be a hard-fought and closely contested matchup between two talented teams.

  • The Bruins and Sabres will begin their first-round playoff series on April 15, 2026.

The players

Boston Bruins

An NHL team based in Boston, Massachusetts, the Bruins have a long and storied history in the league, having won six Stanley Cup championships.

Buffalo Sabres

An NHL team based in Buffalo, New York, the Sabres are seeking their first playoff victory in several years and will look to make a deep run in the postseason.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to be back in the playoffs and ready to take on the Sabres. It's going to be a tough series, but we're confident in our team and our ability to compete at the highest level.”

— Patrice Bergeron, Captain, Boston Bruins

“This is a big opportunity for our team to prove ourselves on the national stage. We've worked hard all season to get to this point, and we're ready to give it our all against the Bruins.”

— Jack Eichel, Captain, Buffalo Sabres

What’s next

The Bruins and Sabres will play a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs.

The takeaway

The first-round matchup between the Bruins and Sabres promises to be an exciting and hard-fought series, as both teams look to make a deep playoff run and compete for the Stanley Cup. The Bruins' return to the postseason after missing out last year adds an extra layer of intrigue to the series, while the Sabres will be seeking their first playoff victory in several years.