Buffalo Sabres Host Boston Bruins in NHL Playoffs Opener

The two Atlantic Division rivals meet in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round series.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:10am

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The Buffalo Sabres will host the Boston Bruins on Sunday night to open their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. The Sabres finished the regular season with a 50-23-9 record, ranking fifth in the league in total goals scored. The Bruins went 45-27-10 overall and 11-12-3 against Atlantic Division opponents. This will be the fifth meeting of the season between the two teams, with the Bruins winning three of the four previous matchups.

Why it matters

This series marks the first playoff meeting between the Sabres and Bruins since 2010. Both teams had strong regular seasons, setting up an intriguing first-round clash between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The outcome could have major implications for the rest of the NHL postseason.

The details

The Sabres are led by top performers Josh Doan (26 goals, 26 assists) and Alex Tuch (4 goals, 3 assists in last 10 games). The Bruins counter with Morgan Geekie (39 goals, 29 assists) and Pavel Zacha (6 goals, 5 assists in last 10 games). Buffalo has a 16-6-4 record against Atlantic Division opponents, while Boston is 11-12-3 in divisional play.

  • The game is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
  • The Sabres and Bruins met four times during the 2025-26 regular season, with Boston winning three of those matchups.

The players

Josh Doan

A top scorer for the Buffalo Sabres, recording 26 goals and 26 assists during the regular season.

Alex Tuch

A key contributor for the Sabres, with 4 goals and 3 assists in his last 10 games.

Morgan Geekie

The leading scorer for the Boston Bruins, with 39 goals and 29 assists on the season.

Pavel Zacha

A hot-handed Bruins player, recording 6 goals and 5 assists in his last 10 games.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get this series started against a tough divisional opponent. Both teams had great regular seasons, so it should make for an exciting first-round matchup.”

— Don Granato, Head Coach, Buffalo Sabres

“The Sabres are a skilled, fast team that will present a big challenge for us. We'll need to be at our best to advance in this series.”

— Jim Montgomery, Head Coach, Boston Bruins

What’s next

The winner of this series will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals to face the winner of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning first-round matchup.

The takeaway

This first-round playoff series between the Sabres and Bruins features two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and should provide an exciting start to the NHL postseason. The outcome could set the tone for the rest of the conference tournament.