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Two of the top teams in the Atlantic Division will collide when the Boston Bruins take on the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs.
Boston clinched the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 100-point season, though it did stumble down the stretch. David Pastrnak and Jeremy Swayman will look to lead the Bruins to an upset against the division champions.
The Sabres are back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Buffalo ended the regular season on a high note, winning four of its last five games on the way to 109 points, the second-highest mark in the conference. Tage Thompson leads the attack with 40 goals and 81 points, while Rasmus Dahlin has a team-high 55 assists.
Here is everything you need to know about Sabres vs. Bruins Game 1.
How to watch Sabres vs. Bruins Game 1: TV channel, live stream
Sabres vs. Bruins Game 1 will air on ESPN, with Mike Monaco and Ray Ferraro on the call.
Fans can stream the game live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users, along with the ESPN app or fubo, which also has a free trial.
Sabres vs. Bruins Game 1 start time
- Date: Sunday, April 19
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Sabres vs. Bruins 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.
Sabres vs. Bruins schedule
| April 19 | Game 1: Bruins vs. Sabres | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, fubo, DIRECTV |
| April 21 | Game 2: Bruins vs. Sabres | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, fubo, DIRECTV |
| April 23 | Game 3: Sabres vs. Bruins | 7 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 26 | Game 4: Sabres vs. Bruins | 2 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| April 28 | Game 5*: Bruins vs. Sabres | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 6*: Sabres vs. Bruins | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 7*: Bruins vs. Sabres | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
NHL Playoffs bracket 2026
Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, updated live as series are completed.
NHL Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the NHL Playoffs:
| First round begins | April 18 |
| Second round begins | May 2* |
| Conference finals begin | May 17* |
| Stanley Cup Final begins | June 3* |
| Last possible day for Game 7 | June 21 |
*Can move up depending on earlier series
English (US)