Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres

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SportsLine NHL analyst Scott Erksine, the Buffalo Sabres will face the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, a matchup beginning on Sunday that marks Buffalo's first playoff appearance in 15 seasons and their first series win attempt in 20 years. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, a 66-year-old former player for the team, returns to the bench for the 2024-25 campaign after a turnaround season where the team improved from 79 points to 109 points, winning the Atlantic Division title and tying the franchise record of 113 points set in 2006-07.

The Bruins, who finished with 100 points and missed the playoffs in 2025, hold a 6-2 advantage in previous postseason meetings against Buffalo. Despite Boston's historical dominance and a 3-1-0 record in the 2025-26 regular season series, SportsLine odds favor the Sabres at -175 to -210, while the Bruins are priced at +145 to +170.

Key Sabres players include Tage Thompson, who led the team with 40 goals for the fifth consecutive season, and Alex Tuch (33 goals), Josh Doan (25 goals), Jason Zucker (24 goals), and Jack...