{"id":555499,"date":"2026-04-18T20:13:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T20:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/555499\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T20:13:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T20:13:30","slug":"buffalo-sabres-coach-fires-back-after-bruins-bigger-stronger-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/555499\/","title":{"rendered":"Buffalo Sabres coach fires back after Bruins’ ‘bigger, stronger’ claim"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tension is building ahead of the NHL<\/a> playoff clash between the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> and the Boston Bruins<\/a> after comments from Bruins coach Marco Sturm. <\/p>\n

Sturm claimed his team is \u201cbigger, stronger, and more physical,\u201d adding they plan to go after Buffalo in the series.<\/p>\n

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has now responded calmly to that message. He said Sturm\u2019s comments reflect Boston\u2019s identity, but Buffalo remains confident in its own style. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, that\u2019s his take on his team,\u201d Ruff said. \u201cI have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play, and the speed we play the game, and they\u2019ve got a good team. They know who they are, and we know who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE: Buffalo Sabres\u2019 turnaround ends NHL\u2019s longest playoff drought<\/a><\/p>\n

Players inside the Sabres locker room echoed that mindset. Forward Alex Tuch said physicality matters in the playoffs but insisted Buffalo will stay focused on its own game.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I mean, that\u2019s his analysis of it,\u201d Tuch said. \u201cWhen it comes to playoffs, everyone\u2019s gotta play big and strong to be able to win. So I think we have a lot of guys in here that are gonna up the physicality and, yeah, we\u2019re just focused on us and trying to play our game, and not listen to any outside noise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here’s some reactions from Lindy Ruff and a couple of the guys about #Bruins<\/a> HC Marco Sturm’s comments from yesterday <\/p>\n

Sturm: “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart. But, we’re going to go after them.”#Sabres<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/RgZBbUdtrX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dom Tibbetts (@DomTibbettsTV) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Rookie Josh Doan also downplayed the remarks, admitting they are everywhere, but said the group trusts its system.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I think it\u2019s, obviously, we\u2019ve all seen it,\u201d Doan said. \u201cIt is everywhere right now, but at the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we\u2019re doing here, and we\u2019ll just let that play out throughout the series, and we\u2019re gonna stick to our game plan. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo it\u2019s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day, there\u2019s no real response from us in this room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buffalo Sabres\u2019 performance against the Bruins<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres players get into a scrum at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Buffalo enters the playoffs in strong form after finishing first in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres posted a 50-23-9 record and carried momentum into the postseason. Their balanced attack, led by Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin<\/a>, has been crucial to their rise.<\/p>\n

The Bruins, however, hold an edge from the regular-season series. Boston won three of four matchups, many decided by narrow margins. That history adds an interesting backdrop to an already intense rivalry.<\/p>\n

Game 1 is set for April 19 in Buffalo. With contrasting styles and rising tension, this series promises a hard-fought battle from the opening puck drop.<\/p>\n

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