{"id":556397,"date":"2026-04-20T00:24:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T00:24:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/556397\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T00:24:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T00:24:35","slug":"bruins-vs-sabres-score-live-updates-highlights-from-game-1-of-nhl-playoffs-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/556397\/","title":{"rendered":"Bruins vs. Sabres Score, Live Updates, Highlights From Game 1 of NHL Playoffs Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bruins vs. Sabres Score, Live Updates, Highlights From Game 1 of NHL Playoffs Series<\/a> originally appeared on NESN<\/a>. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After a year away from the postseason, the Bruins<\/a> will return to the playoff stage when they hit the ice on Sunday night for Game 1 against the Sabres<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Under first-year head coach Marco Sturm, Boston<\/a> has found success with a structured, defensive-first mentality that relies on the brilliance of goaltender Jeremy Swayman<\/a>. The Bruins will be the underdog in the first round, though, as they are going head-to-head with a Sabres squad that led the Atlantic Division with 109 points.<\/p>\n

Both the Bruins and Sabres defied expectations this season, and now, the two contenders will battle in the postseason for the ninth time. The atmosphere in Buffalo<\/a> will certainly be electric, as Sabres fans are ready to watch playoff hockey for the first time in 14 years.<\/p>\n

Follow along right here for live updates from Game 1 between the Bruins and Sabres.<\/p>\n

Bruins vs. Sabres scoreBruins vs. Sabres live updates, highlights from\u00a0Game 1<\/p>\n

8:19 p.m.;\u00a0It’s a big kill for the Bruins, and now both teams are 0-for-1 on the power play. With three minutes left in the first, the Bruins are holding onto a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n

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Swayman has 13 saves so far.<\/p>\n

8:18 p.m.:\u00a0Swayman picks up right where he left off in the playoffs, now making a save on Ryan McLeod<\/a>, who burst from end-to-end to get right in front of No. 1.<\/p>\n

He’s made three saves this power play.<\/p>\n

8:16 p.m.:\u00a0There’s some chaos in front of the Boston net. After Swayman makes a save, a scrum ensues as the Bruins goaltender is pushed into the net after the whistle is blown. There’s 51 seconds left in the power play.<\/p>\n

The puck ended up in the net, but not before the play was waved off.<\/p>\n

8:13 p.m.:\u00a0Now, the Sabres will head to the power play for the first time.<\/p>\n

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It’s Nikita Zadorov<\/a> going to the box for Boston, a two-minute penalty for cross-checking. For the first time tonight, the Boston kill takes the ice.<\/p>\n

8:08 p.m.:\u00a0Boston’s had a fair share of shots during the power play, but\u00a0Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen<\/a> has made the saves.<\/p>\n

Now, Elias Lindholm<\/a> gets shoved into the net fishing for a rebound and a scrum ensues.<\/p>\n

8:04 p.m.:\u00a0Now, Geekie creates more chaos in the offensive zone and drives the first penalty of the series. It’s a hooking call on Dahlin<\/a>, sending the Buffalo captain to the box and giving Boston the first power play tonight.<\/p>\n

There’s 7:57 remaining in the first.<\/p>\n

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Bruins 1, Sabres 0<\/p>\n

8:02 p.m. GOAL:\u00a0The Boston Bruins have the first goal of the series, and it’s their leading scorer from the regular season.<\/p>\n

That’s Morgan Geekie<\/a>, who had a career-high 39 goals. Here, he hits a one-timer after David Pastrnak<\/a>‘s shot is blocked by Rasmus Dahlin and it goes into the net; Geekie picks up right where he left off, and it gives Boston the lead and silences the crowd.<\/p>\n

The Bruins are up and running.<\/p>\n

7:58 p.m.:\u00a0Nearly halfway through the first, Buffalo has been the better team, using their speed to create chances and being physical from the jump.<\/p>\n

Though, Swayman has stood tall.<\/p>\n

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7:53 p.m.:\u00a0Thompson has his first scoring chance of the series, getting a shot from the right circle, but Swayman staves it away.<\/p>\n

The Sabres forward, who also won gold with team USA this season, had his second consecutive 40-goal season.<\/p>\n

7:50 p.m.:\u00a0Boston’s first established zone time in the offensive end comes five minutes in, but it results in only one shot.<\/p>\n

Charlie McAvoy<\/a> brought the puck below the red line, but\u00a0Mattias Samuelsson<\/a> made a block to prevent a pass from going to the point.<\/p>\n

7:47 p.m.:\u00a0Four minutes in, this game has lived up to the bargain.<\/p>\n

Both teams have landed big hits, including one from Alex Tuch<\/a> on Viktor Arvidsson<\/a>, much to the roar of the crowd.<\/p>\n

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7:44 p.m.:\u00a0Swayman is getting “swayed” by the Buffalo crowd in the early minutes, with chants from the stands raining down.<\/p>\n

Two minutes in, the game has a high pace.<\/p>\n

7:42 p.m.:\u00a0We are underway in Buffalo.<\/p>\n

Boston wins the opening faceoff, and away we go.<\/p>\n

7:37 p.m.:\u00a0The teams are on the ice in front of an electric Buffalo crowd.<\/p>\n

It’s time for Boston’s 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.<\/p>\n

7:32 p.m.:\u00a0It’s time for puck drop.<\/p>\n

Will it be the Bruins who take a 1-0 lead, or will the home town Sabres<\/a> make a statement?<\/p>\n

Follow along for live updates throughout the game.<\/p>\n

7:25 p.m.:\u00a0To advance, Boston needs to win a game in Buffalo. Why not make it tonight?<\/p>\n

Puck drop is almost here.<\/p>\n

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7:15 p.m.:\u00a0Puck drop is getting closer, and the Bruins aren’t the only Boston team to play a playoff game today.<\/p>\n

Earlier this afternoon, the Celtics took a 1-0 series lead with a dominating win over the 76ers at TD Garden. Then, the Celtics sent their luck to their TD Garden partners ahead of tonight’s contest.<\/p>\n

7:04 p.m.:\u00a0If Boston is going to have a chance in the series, expect Jeremy Swayman to be a reason why.<\/p>\n

Swayman enters the 2026 postseason boasting an elite career playoff save percentage of .922 and a 2.38 goals-against average across 20 appearances. He remains a cornerstone for Boston after a historic 2023-24 playoff run where he posted a .933 save percentage over 12 games, proving he can shoulder the weight of an entire series.<\/p>\n

Following a bounce-back regular season with 31 wins, the recently crowned Olympic gold medalist is now tasked with neutralizing a high-powered Buffalo offense as he makes his fifth career postseason appearance.<\/p>\n

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6:55 p.m.:\u00a0Buffalo isn’t the only team to have exceeded expectations in this matchup. Enter the Bruins, who many thought would miss the postseason outright with a roster that looked like it was in a transition year.<\/p>\n

Instead, Boston is back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with plenty of life.<\/p>\n

6:44 p.m.:\u00a0It’s safe to say that Boston is walking into one of the most hostile environments its faced in recent memory.<\/p>\n

6:35 p.m.:\u00a0Boston is on-site in Buffalo, with puck drop an hour away.<\/p>\n

6:34 p.m.:\u00a0The Bruins are staring across the ice at a playoff opponent that feels entirely unfamiliar yet dangerously rejuvenated.<\/p>\n

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The 2025-26 Buffalo Sabres didn’t just break the longest postseason drought in NHL history; they kicked the door down by finishing first in the Atlantic Division with a staggering 109 points. This wasn’t a fluke of a season, but rather a dominant 50-win campaign where Buffalo sat among the league’s top five offensive units, averaging nearly 3.5 goals per game.<\/p>\n

The middle of the season saw the Sabres transform into a historical juggernaut, at one point embarking on a 32\u20136\u20132 run \u2014the best 40-game stretch the NHL has seen in 30 years. Tage Thompson<\/a> led the charge with a 40-goal season, while captain Rasmus Dahlin anchored a blue line that evolved from a liability into a position of strength, helping Buffalo secure their first division title since 2010.<\/p>\n

What makes this iteration of the Sabres so terrifying is their ability to control the pace through elite skating and opportunistic finishing. While they struggled in the early weeks, they ended the year as one of the most efficient teams in the league, ranking 5th in shooting percentage (12.3%). With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen coming into his own between the pipes and a roster full of young stars like Zach Benson<\/a> and Bowen Byram<\/a> hitting their stride, the Sabres enter the first round not as happy-to-be-here underdogs, but as a genuine threat to hoist the Cup.<\/p>\n

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6:30 p.m.:\u00a0It’s time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.<\/p>\n

After one year away, the Boston Bruins have returned to the dance, putting up a 100-point season under first-year head coach Marco Sturm. The Bruins clinched the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, setting up a matchup with the Atlantic Division champion Buffalo Sabres in Round 1.<\/p>\n

Tune in for live updates throughout the night as Boston gets its Stanley Cup Playoff campaign started.<\/p>\n

How to watch Bruins vs. Sabres Game 1: TV channel, live stream<\/p>\n

Bruins vs. Sabres will air locally on NESN. Game 1 will also be available to stream on NESN 360<\/a>\u00a0and fubo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Fubo<\/a> offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)<\/p>\n

Bruins vs. Sabres Game 1 start time<\/p>\n

Bruins vs. Sabres is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 19. Game 1 will be played at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.<\/p>\n

Bruins vs. Sabres schedule<\/p>\n

Date<\/p>\n

Game<\/p>\n

Time (ET)<\/p>\n

TV\/Live stream<\/p>\n

April 19<\/p>\n

Game 1: Bruins vs. Sabres<\/p>\n

7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

NESN, NESN\u00a0360<\/a>,\u00a0fubo<\/a><\/p>\n

April 21<\/p>\n

Game 2:\u00a0Bruins vs. Sabres<\/p>\n

7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

NESN, NESN 360, fubo<\/p>\n

April 23<\/p>\n

Game 3: Sabres vs. Bruins<\/p>\n

7 p.m.<\/p>\n

NESN, NESN 360, fubo<\/p>\n

April 26<\/p>\n

Game 4: Sabres vs. Bruins<\/p>\n

2 p.m.<\/p>\n

NESN, NESN 360, fubo<\/p>\n

April 28<\/p>\n

Game 5*:\u00a0Bruins vs. Sabres<\/p>\n

TBD<\/p>\n

TBD<\/p>\n

May 1<\/p>\n

Game 6*: Sabres vs. Bruins<\/p>\n

TBD<\/p>\n

TBD<\/p>\n

May 3<\/p>\n

Game 7*:\u00a0Bruins vs. Sabres<\/p>\n

TBD<\/p>\n

TBD<\/p>\n

*If necessary<\/p>\n

More Bruins<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bruins vs. Sabres Score, Live Updates, Highlights From Game 1 of NHL Playoffs Series originally appeared on NESN.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":556398,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[463,464],"tags":[4624,6452,154,2031,530,1107,4620,2154,11195,2178,4512,5,156,3034,4261,4,60,3387,4466,1108,14,104,718,1712,4293,7800,1745,4023],"class_list":{"0":"post-556397","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl-playoffs","8":"category-stanley-cup-playoffs","9":"tag-76ers","10":"tag-alex-tuch","11":"tag-boston","12":"tag-bowen-byram","13":"tag-bruins","14":"tag-buffalo","15":"tag-celtics","16":"tag-charlie-mcavoy","17":"tag-dahlin","18":"tag-david-pastrnak","19":"tag-elias-lindholm","20":"tag-hockey","21":"tag-jeremy-swayman","22":"tag-mattias-samuelsson","23":"tag-morgan-geekie","24":"tag-nhl","25":"tag-nhl-playoffs","26":"tag-nikita-zadorov","27":"tag-ryan-mcleod","28":"tag-sabres","29":"tag-stanley-cup","30":"tag-stanley-cup-playoffs","31":"tag-stanley-cup-playoffs-nhl","32":"tag-tage-thompson","33":"tag-the-sabres","34":"tag-ukko-pekka-luukkonen","35":"tag-viktor-arvidsson","36":"tag-zach-benson"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116434191235002905","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=556397"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556397\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/556398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=556397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=556397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=556397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}