Sabres Return to Playoffs After 15-Year Drought, Face Bruins

Buffalo hosts Boston in highly anticipated first-round NHL playoff matchup

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:53pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blue, gold, and black colors.The Sabres' long-awaited return to the NHL playoffs sets the stage for an intense first-round clash with the battle-tested Bruins.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Sabres are back in the NHL playoffs for the first time in 15 years, hosting the Boston Bruins in the first round. The Sabres had the second-most points in the Eastern Conference after being in last place in early December, setting up a primetime showdown between one of hockey's surprise teams and a perennial contender.

Why it matters

The Sabres' return to the playoffs after a long drought is a major story for the city of Buffalo and the NHL. The matchup with the Bruins features two talented teams with contrasting narratives, adding intrigue to the opening-round series.

The details

The Sabres went from being in last place in the Eastern Conference on December 8 to finishing the regular season second in the conference, securing home-ice advantage for this first-round playoff series against the Bruins. Led by star forward David Pastrnak, the Bruins are a formidable opponent, but the Sabres have shown they can compete with the league's best teams after their remarkable turnaround.

  • The Sabres' playoff drought lasted 14 consecutive seasons before this year's return.
  • The Sabres-Bruins first-round series opens on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

The players

David Pastrnak

A star forward for the Boston Bruins who led the team's offense during the regular season.

Rasmus Dahlin

A young defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres who has been a key part of the team's resurgence this season.

Lindy Ruff

The head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, returning to the playoffs with the team 15 years after his previous tenure.

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What’s next

The Sabres and Bruins will play Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

The takeaway

The Sabres' return to the playoffs after a 15-year drought has energized the city of Buffalo and set up an intriguing first-round matchup with the perennial contender Bruins. This series has the potential to be one of the most compelling stories of the NHL postseason.