Buffalo Sabres rally late to beat Bruins in playoff opener

Tage Thompson leads Sabres to comeback victory in first postseason game in 7 years

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:01pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blue, red, and white colors capturing the intensity of the playoff matchup.The Sabres' thrilling comeback victory over the Bruins in their playoff opener showcases the team's resilience and ability to compete with the Eastern Conference's elite.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Sabres overcame questions about their lack of playoff experience, rallying late to defeat the Boston Bruins in the opening game of their first-round playoff series. Led by forward Tage Thompson, the Sabres stormed back in the third period to secure the victory in their first postseason appearance since 2019.

Why it matters

The Sabres' return to the playoffs after a seven-year drought is a significant milestone for the franchise and its long-suffering fans. This comeback win over the veteran Bruins establishes the young Sabres as a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The details

Down by a goal late in the third period, the Sabres mounted a furious comeback, scoring twice in the final five minutes to stun the Bruins. Tage Thompson, Buffalo's leading scorer in the regular season, netted the game-tying and game-winning goals to propel his team to victory in the series opener.

  • The game was played on April 20, 2026.
  • This was the Sabres' first playoff game since 2019.

The players

Tage Thompson

The Sabres' star forward and leading scorer, who sparked the team's late comeback with two crucial goals.

Buffalo Sabres

The NHL team based in Buffalo, New York, making their first playoff appearance in seven years.

Boston Bruins

The veteran NHL team and perennial playoff contender that the Sabres defeated in the series opener.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew we had it in us the whole time. This is just the start of something special for this team.”

— Tage Thompson, Sabres forward

What’s next

The Sabres and Bruins will face off in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on April 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The Sabres' thrilling comeback victory over the Bruins in their playoff opener demonstrates the team's resilience and ability to compete with the Eastern Conference's elite, raising hopes that this young squad can make a deep postseason run.