Bruins vs. Sabres Final Score, Highlights: Sabres Stun Bruins in Late-Game Collapse at KeyBank Center originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Against the Atlantic Division champion Buffalo Sabres, the Boston Bruins appeared to have Game 1 — and the Buffalo crowd — exactly where they wanted them.

Holding a 2-0 lead with just 10 minutes to play, Jeremy Swayman and the Bruins’ defense had held the Sabres scoreless for 50 minutes, a feat no team had accomplished against Lindy Ruff's squad since November.But the silence at KeyBank Center didn't last. In a stunning late-game collapse, the Bruins watched their two-goal cushion evaporate as Buffalo erupted for three goals in a span of just 4:34. Alex Tuch’s empty-netter eventually iced a 4-3 victory for the Sabres, marking the franchise's first postseason win in 14 seasons and turning a potential Boston statement win into a nightmare series opener.The Bruins opened the scoring, striking in the first period behind Morgan Geekie, who carried his 39-goal regular season momentum into the playoffs.

Swayman remained dialed in with 27 saves through two periods, keeping the Buffalo attack stagnant well into the final frame. When Elias Lindholm tucked home an insurance goal early in the third, a statement 1-0 series lead felt within reach.However, the Sabres' offense proved too explosive to be contained for the full 60 minutes. Tage Thompson sparked the rally, cutting the deficit in half with 7:58 remaining before ripping home the equalizer minutes later.

The comeback was completed when Mattias Samuelsson found himself alone in the slot to give Buffalo its first lead of the night. While David Pastrnak bridged the gap to 4-3 late, the Bruins ran out of time.For 50 minutes, Boston was the better team, operating with the precision of a road warrior. But in a blur of blue and gold, that defensive wall in front of Swayman — who finished the night with 34 saves — disintegrated.

The Bruins must now regroup for Game 2 in Buffalo, where they will look to even the series or risk returning to Boston in a 2-0 hole.Check out all the highlights from a wild Game 1 below as the Sabres took the series lead.Bruins vs. Sabres score123FBruins1023Sabres0044Bruins vs. Sabres live updates, highlights from Game 1Final: Sabres 4, Bruins 310:27 p.m.

GOAL: It's a Game 1 comeback win for the Sabres and a brutal loss for the Bruins.Up 2-0 in halfway through the third period, Boston seemed to be in control. But, the Sabres rattled off four straight goals in rapid time to pick up the first win of the series. The teams will return to the ice on Tuesday night, where Boston will look to even up the series.Sabres 4, Bruins 310:24 p.m.

GOAL: The Bruins have cut it to one with six seconds left.It's Pastrnak, who opens his playoff account on a backhand shot to make the game 4-3. It might be too little too late for Boston, who makes it 4-3.10:23 p.m.: The Sabres take a penalty with 15 seconds remaining, and the Bruins will have a power play.But, this game is pretty much over.Sabres 4, Bruins 210:21 p.m. GOAL: With Swayman on the bench, it's the Syracuse native Alex Tuch who ices the game for the Sabres.Tuch chases down a loose puck and puts it into the empty net, giving the Sabres a 4-2 lead, as the Atlantic Division champions are closing in on their first playoff win in 15 years.10:20 p.m.: With under two minutes left, the Bruins now need a goal.Swayman heads to the bench and the extra attacker is out for Boston.Sabres 3, Bruins 210:17 p.m.

GOAL: The Sabres have their first lead of the series, storming all the way back from a 2-0 deficit to take the lead.Mattias Samuelsson finds himself all alone up top and rips it past Swayman, and just like that the Sabres have scored three goals in four minutes to erase the deficit and take the lead. SAMUELSSON, BUFFALO TAKES THE LEAD 🚨THIS IS PLAYOFF HOCKEY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/sHWYHDKlN8— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 20, 2026It's loud at the KeyBank Center, and now the Bruins trail for the first time.10:16 p.m.: There's another scrum after Pekka Luukkonen makes a save, and there are penalties after the play.Though, it remains 5-on-5.Bruins 2, Sabres 210:13 p.m.

GOAL: This game is tied, and it't the same goalscorer: Thompson.This time, he finds the puck right in front of Swayman and rips it to his left on a wrister, tying the game at two. Thompson's 42nd goal (regular and postseason) has brought Buffalo to life, and it's a brand new hockey game with less than five minutes left in the third.TAGE NATHANIEL THOMPSON HAS TIED THE GAME ‼️BUFFALO IS UNGLUED 😱 pic.twitter.com/IwMg3lU6eC— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 20, 202610:09 p.m.: With 5:39 left in the third, the Bruins are leading 2-1.As expected, this game is coming down to the wire.Bruins 2, Sabres 110:05 p.m. GOAL: The Sabres are on the board, courtesy of their top scorer Thompson.No. 72 finds the puck behind the net and wraps it around before Swayman can hug the post, cutting