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Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins Set for First Round Playoff Series

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Sabres Host Bruins in Game 1 of Eastern Conference First Round

The Buffalo Sabres will host the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, April 19. The series marks the Sabres' first playoff appearance since 2011.

Series Schedule and Broadcast Details

The National Hockey League has released the schedule for the best-of-seven series.

  • Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. at KeyBank Center
  • Game 2: Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. at KeyBank Center
  • Game 3: Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. at TD Garden
  • Game 4: Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m. at TD Garden
  • Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, April 28 at KeyBank Center
  • Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 1 at TD Garden
  • Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 3 at KeyBank Center

Within the Sabres' broadcast territory, all games will be televised on MSG. Games can also be streamed via Fubo or the Gotham Sports App. Radio broadcasts will be on WGR 550. National broadcast networks for the series include ESPN, TNT, truTV, and HBO Max.

Team Background and Historical Context

The Sabres enter the playoffs after finishing the regular season in first place in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins qualified by securing the first Eastern Conference wild card position with 100 points.

The two teams have met in eight previous playoff series. The Bruins have won six of those series.

Historically, the team that wins Game 1 of a best-of-seven NHL playoff series has an all-time record of 535 wins and 252 losses.

Pre-Series Comments

Ahead of Game 1, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff stated he is looking forward to seeing how his team reacts to the playoff atmosphere.

"I'm hoping that we are amped up, because it will be electric," Ruff said. "We've talked about the energy we need to bring, how we need to play."

Bruins forward Casey Mittelstadt described the expected atmosphere at KeyBank Center as "bedlam."

Bruins coach Marco Sturm noted the pressure of the moment for the home team. "The pressure is on them too," Sturm said. "They've been waiting for this moment, not just the players, but the whole organization, the fans, the city, has been waiting for that moment."

Additional Events

The Sabres organization will host free "Sabrehood Block Parties" for every home playoff game. The events will include a pregame Party in the Plaza and an in-game Watch Party at Canalside.