BUFFALO, NY – The Boston Bruins (0-0) will take on the Buffalo Sabres (0-0) in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Sunday night in Western New York. The Bruins finished as the top wild card in the Eastern Conference, closing the season with 45 wins and 100 points. The Sabres won their division for the first time since 2010, posting a 50-win season and 109 points.

Last time the Sabres won the division, the Bruins knocked them off in six games. These teams met four times this season (BOS: 3-1-0); two of them came in October. The Sabres are a different team now.

They made a front office change, and the results showed up on the ice. The Sabres posted a 36-9-5 record since Jarmo Kekalainen took over as GM, which is the best record in the league by far. The Bruins will lean on their physical game this series, led by Nikita Zadorov and the fourth line.

The only concern? Staying disciplined. So long as the Bruins can do that, their physical game can disrupt Buffalo’s fast-paced game and possibly tilt a few games, if not the series.

Jeremy Swayman will be another important piece to this series. He is coming off a career-high season, and last time he played in the playoffs, he led goals saved above expected (13.3), though the Bruins were bounced in Round 2. This season, Tage Thompson led the Sabres with 40 goals and 81 points.

Alex Tuch scored 33 times, and Rasmus Dahlin had 55 assists from the blue line. The Sabres split their goaltending duties between Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, both of whom had career-high seasons as well. Lyon is the only goalie with playoff experience, playing four games against the Bruins in the 2023 playoffs.

It’s also the first playoff game in Buffalo since April 24, 2011.Bruins Morning Skate NotesThe Bruins will skate at KeyBank Center at 11:30 AM on Tuesday. Updates to come. Expected Bruins LinesForwardsMorgan Geekie – Elias Lindholm – David PastrnakCasey Mittelstadt – Pavel Zacha – Viktor ArvidssonJames Hagens – Fraser Minten – Marat KhusnutdinovTanner Jeannot – Sean Kuraly – Mark KastelicDefensemenJonathan Aspirot – Charlie McAvoyHampus Lindholm – Mason LohreiNikita Zadorov – Andrew PeekeSource: Belle FraserStarting GoalieJeremy Swayman (2025-26: 31-18-4, 2.71 GAA, .908 SV%)Source: UnconfirmedExpected Sabres LinesForwardsPeyton Krebs – Tage Thompson – Alex TuchZach Benson – Josh Norris – Josh DoanJason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jack QuinnJordan Greenway – Josh Dunne – Beck MalenstynDefensemenMattias Samuelsson – Rasmus DahlinOwen Power – Bowen ByramLogan Stanley – Connor TimminsSource: Paul HamiltonStarting GoalieUkko-Pekka Luukkonen (2025-26: 22-9-3, 2.52 GAA, .910 SV%)Source: UnconfirmedSpecial TeamsBruinsRegular SeasonPower play: 23.4% (9th)Penalty kill: 77.0% (24th)Sabres Regular SeasonPower play: 19.5% (21st)Penalty kill: 81.9% (4th)Season SeriesSaturday, October 11: @ BOS – Bruins win 3-1Thursday, October 30: @ BOS – Bruins win 4-3 (OT)Saturday, December 27: @ BUF – Sabres win 4-1Wednesday, March 25: @ BUF – Bruins win 4-3 (OT)Series ScheduleGame 2: at Buffalo.

Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 PMGame 3: at Boston. Thursday, April 23, 7:00 PMGame 4: at Boston. Sunday, April 26, 2:00 PMGame 5*: at Buffalo.

Monday, April 27, 7:00 PM Game 6*: at Boston. Wednesday, April 29, 7:00 PMGame 7*: at Buffalo. Saturday, May 2, 7:00 PM#NHLBruins first round schedule: https://t.co/HvpQk0RiRPpic.twitter.com/kL5Wf4gi4Y— Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) April 17, 2026How To Watch7:30 PM ETUS TV: NESN, ESPNCA TV: SN1, SN360, TVAS2Radio: 98.5 The Sports HubFOLLOW @JACKSTUDLEY13 ON 𝕏 | FOLLOW @BOSHockeyNow ON 𝕏