The Buffalo Sabres are back in the playoffs after a 14-year drought, when they host their Atlantic Division rivals on Sunday night.

Playoff hockey returns to Buffalo, New York, for the first time since 2011 when the Buffalo Sabres host the Boston Bruins for Game 1 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The return to the playoffs ended the longest drought in the NHL at 14 years. Another New York team still has the longest active streak between the four major American sports, in the Jets at 15 years. Unfathomably, Hockey Town now has the longest playoff drought in the NHL, with the Detroit Red Wings’ last appearance coming in 2016. This season has been a dramatic turnaround for Buffalo. The Sabres finished the 2024-25 season with 79 points, which was good for seventh in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo finished at the top of the Atlantic Division this season with 109 points. That is compared to the Bruins, who finished the regular season with 100 points and fourth in the division standings. Boston earned the first Wild Card slot in the Eastern Conference, a point ahead of the Ottawa Senators, who take on the Metropolitan-leading Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. The Sabres are the -166 favorites to take Game 1 of this series between these Atlantic Division rivals.

How to Watch Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres: Game 1 Today:

Game Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

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TV: ESPN

Location: KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY

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Buffalo might have been the best team in the Atlantic this season, but the Bruins got the best of the Sabres in the season series, 3-1. Boston won the first two games of the series and won the finale in late March, 4-3 in overtime. Paval Zacha scored the game-winner 38 seconds into the extra period, and David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists to earn the first star. Casey Mittelstadt tied the game late in the third and forced overtime, after Buffalo took a 3-2 lead earlier in the period. Jason Zucker led the Sabres with two goals. Buffalo finished the season on a hot streak, winning four straight games and an overtime loss in its regular-season finale against the Dallas Stars. The Sabres won’t be satisfied with just ending the playoff drought. Buffalo is hungry for much more and goes for its first playoff-series victory since 2007.

What Time Is Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres: Game 1?

The Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres: Game 1 will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tune in and catch some great NHL action.

What Channel Is the Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres: Game 1 On?

Looking to watch this game? Fans can tune into ESPN to see the action. Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup, as well as numerous other sports leagues.

Live stream the Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres: Game 1 on Fubo: Start Watching Now!

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