Start Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: KeyBank Center — Buffalo, NY
This is Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round. Buffalo enters as Atlantic Division champions, while Boston enters as the No. 1 Wild Card.
Injury Report
Buffalo Sabres
Sam Carrick (C) — OUT until Apr 30
Noah Östlund (C) — OUT until Apr 20
Jiri Kulich (C) — OUT (ear)
Jack Danforth (RW) — Day‑to‑day
Alex Lyon (G) — Day‑to‑day (lower body)
Boston Bruins
No major injuries listed in available Game 1 reports.
Team Records & Statistical Profile
Boston Bruins
45‑27‑10 regular season record
GF/G: 3.27
GA/G: 3.01
Power Play: 23.4%
Penalty Kill: 77%
Faceoff %: 53.1% (Top‑5 NHL)
Buffalo Sabres
50‑23‑9 regular season record (Atlantic Division champions)
GF/G: 3.45
GA/G: 2.93
Power Play: 19.5%
Penalty Kill: 81.9% (Top‑5 NHL)
Faceoff %: 45.9%
Recent Team Form
Bruins — Last 5
W 4–0 vs NJ
W 3–2 @ CBJ
L 2–1 vs TB
L 6–5 OT @ CAR
L 2–1 OT @ PHI
Sabres — Last 5
L 4–3 SO vs DAL
W 5–1 @ CHI
W 5–0 vs CBJ
W 5–3 @ NYR
W 4–2 vs TB
Buffalo enters 4–1 in their last five; Boston enters 2–3.
Key Player Matchups
Boston Bruins
David Pastrňák: 100 points (29 G, 71 A) — elite playmaker and primary scoring engine.
Morgan Geekie: 39 goals — breakout finisher.
Jeremy Swayman (G): 31‑18‑4, 2.71 GAA, .908 SV% — reliable playoff‑caliber starter.
Buffalo Sabres
Tage Thompson: 44 goals, 81 points — elite power forward threat.
Rasmus Dahlin: 55 assists — top‑tier offensive defenseman.
Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen (G): 22‑9‑3, 2.52 GAA, .910 SV% — strong home‑ice performer.
Series History & Context
Boston won 3 of 4 regular‑season meetings.
Wins: 3–1, 4–3 (OT), 4–1
Buffalo’s lone win: 4–1 on Dec 27
Buffalo is in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, ending a 14‑year drought.
Bruins return after missing the postseason in 2025.
Betting Trends
Buffalo: Top‑5 PK, Top‑5 GF/G, strong home record (26‑10‑5).
Boston: Top‑10 PP, elite faceoff team, but inconsistent last 10.
Goaltending matchup slightly favors Buffalo (Luukkonen/Lyon) over Boston (Swayman/Korpisalo).
Game Odds
Boston Bruins 6.5
Buffalo Sabres – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, April 18, 2026
