Sabres Confident Ahead of Physical Playoff Series Against Bruins

Buffalo players unfazed by Bruins coach's comments about size and strength advantage

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:26pm

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An abstract, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with the players' bodies and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of blues, whites, and grays, conveying the intensity and physicality of the upcoming playoff matchup.The Sabres and Bruins prepare for a physical, hard-hitting playoff series, with both teams ready to match the other's intensity and physicality.Buffalo Today

Buffalo Sabres players Logan Stanley and Lindy Ruff are not concerned about comments made by Boston Bruins coach Marco Sturm, who said his team is bigger and stronger than the Sabres. Stanley and Ruff expressed confidence that the Sabres will be ready for the physical playoff series, with Stanley saying his teammates will stick up for each other and Ruff noting the team has grown into a more physical style of play over the course of the season.

Why it matters

The Sabres-Bruins playoff matchup is expected to be a hard-hitting, physical series. The Sabres' ability to match the Bruins' size and strength will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the series.

The details

Bruins coach Marco Sturm told reporters that his team is bigger and stronger than the Sabres and will be 'coming after them.' Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley, who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets, said he isn't worried about the Bruins' physicality and is confident his teammates will have his back. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff also expressed confidence in his team's physical play, noting that they have grown into a more physical style over the course of the season, citing an example of the team standing up to the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier in the year.

  • The Sabres and Bruins will face off in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

The players

Marco Sturm

The head coach of the Boston Bruins.

Logan Stanley

A defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets.

Lindy Ruff

The head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.

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What they’re saying

“It's fine, they got a good team, big team, physical and lots of talent over there, so they're going to put their best foot forward just like we will and it's going to be a heck of a series.”

— Logan Stanley, Sabres Defenseman

“100%, these guys in here stick up for each other and physicality is a big part of the playoffs and it's going to be a physical series on both sides and we'll be ready for that.”

— Logan Stanley, Sabres Defenseman

“I think "Dahls" said 'They drank beers' and that's how they came together, they did some things to bond where they understood that we failed the test a few times last year when it was a chance to really come together as a group to look after each other, to protect each other, to be there for each other, whether it's a hit, you're in a fight or it's blocking shots for goaltenders, whatever that is and I thought that momentum started earlier in the year and it kept getting greater and greater.”

— Lindy Ruff, Sabres Head Coach

What’s next

The Sabres and Bruins will face off in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday.

The takeaway

The Sabres appear unfazed by the Bruins' physical style of play and are confident they can match their opponent's size and strength. This series is shaping up to be a hard-hitting, physical battle between two evenly matched teams.