The Bruins are back in the Stanely Cup playoffs after a one-year absence. After a lost season in 2025, Boston surprised many finishing in the first wild card position. That’s good enough for fifth overall in the Eastern Conference standings with 100 points. Quite a turnaround for the black and gold and a lot of credit must go to first year head coach Marco Sturm. Waiting for the Bruins are the Buffalo Sabres who finally return to the playoffs after a fourteen-year absence. Winners of the Atlantic division, the Sabres bring their off-the-rush offense into the post season with high expectations. The Bruins went 3-1-0 against the Sabres this year, most recently beating them 4-3 in overtime on March 25. Of course, that doesn’t mean anything anymore as the playoffs provide a clean slate.
Here’s a look at what the Bruins must do if they want to upset the favoured Sabres in round one.
Goaltending
The Bruins got what they needed from Jeremy Swayman this season. A complete bounce back effort and return to form, it goes without question that Swayman should be a Vezina finalist and was a big part of the Bruins 2026 success. He saved more goals above expected (26.5) than any other goalie in the playoffs. “We talk about 100 points, there were a lot of games we were lucky,” Sturm said. “But he (Swayman) was the reason why, and (Joonas Korpisalo) as well… Our goaltending was absolutely outstanding. You can look at our special teams, this and that. But our goaltending was absolutely outstanding. They were a big reason why we went that far.” Opposing Boston will be Ukko-Pekka Luukkenen, Buffalo’s starting goaltender who is coming off a season in which is split time with Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis. The trio all spent time in the crease and the injured reserve. Swayman and his 20 postseason appearances gives the Bruins the edge here as UPL faces shooters in the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Depth Scoring
The Sabres are the higher skilled team without debate. Boston, however, is comprised of a team that consists of players who rediscovered their offense this season. 2025 castoffs Casey Mittelstadt and Viktor Arvidsson scored 15 and 25 goals respectively while their second line centreman Pavel Zacha scored a career high 30 times. The second line, as it were, was Boston’s all-around best line as the trio stayed together all season, injury time excluded. Not to be forgotten is how well they played defensively vs opponent’s top lines. It’s conceivable that Sturm matches them up against the Sabres top line of Peyton Krebs, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. Mittelstadt, who was Buffalo’s eighth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft is excited for the opportunity. “I know what the atmosphere is going to be like, and it’s going to be nuts. I think that is going to be really fun for us. Especially to go on the road to start and play the villain role early,” Mittelstadt said. “I think our teams are built maybe a little bit differently, in terms of they’re a little smaller and faster, and we’re probably bigger and heavier. I think it will be a good contrast of that. I think it’s a good matchup for us. Obviously, going to have to come in and manage the puck and defend hard. But I think if we can do that, we will have a good chance. It is going to be a battle either way.”
The Bruins top line of Morgan Geekie, Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak remains the Bruins biggest scoring threat while “The Kid” line of Marat Khusnutdinov, Fraser Minton and newest Bruins James Hagens will have their hands full but boast the speed and skill the Sabres possess.
Fourth Line Mayhem
Sean Kuraly, Mark Kastelic and Tanner Jeannot are no slouches when it comes to physicality and tenacity. If the Bruins try to drag the Sabres into a street fight and Buffalo obliges, its advantage Boston. Kuraly exploded for a three-point night in game 81 vs Columbus while Kastelic scored twice in the season finale vs New Jersey. Sure doesn’t hurt to come into the playoffs with the taste of goal scoring fresh in their minds. “I think from playing them throughout the year, we kind of know what to expect. But again, I think everybody’s level is going to rise,” Kastelic said. “That just makes it fun, though, and means you have to bring your best pretty much every moment. We’re definitely doing our research and stuff on them, but at the end of the day, we’ll just continue to focus on ourselves and what we can do to bring success.”
Special Teams
The Bruins will have to cash in on their powerplay. They simply must find their scoring after finishing the season with a dismal power play. Boston will have James Hagens skating on their second unit, and his speed/skill will be a welcome addition. “Every night you have to give it your all. You have to give everything you possibly have. This is playoff hockey – you want to win every single game like always. Nothing changes, but there are a lot higher stakes,” Hagens said. “This is something you dream of. Something you grow up watching and praying that you could be in the moment one day and be playing in. Now that it’s reality, it’s something that is really surreal.”
Boston will have to limit the amount of powerplays they give Buffalo. Even with the Sabres lacking a strong PP (The Sabres enter the playoffs in a 0-for-22 drought on the power play), Boston was the league’s most penalized team during the regular season. Stick infractions due to losing speed battles could be Boston’s biggest challenge and with Buffalo boasting great offensive depth, the Bruins will have to limit their time in the box to be successful.
Playoff Performances
When the Bruins signed Nikita Zadorov to a 5 year deal it came after watching the Russian defenseman have a very strong playoff run with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. Zadorov, originally drafted by the Sabres in 16th OV in 2013, is going to be a very important player in this series as his size, strength and potential offensive contribution will be counted on as these games intensify. “That was the goal coming in here: play those meaningful games. We’re not done yet. Obviously, it’s an exciting time right now, for sure,” Zadorov said. “Now playing in the first playoff series against them in Buffalo – I only have good things to say about the city and the people who gave me a chance to play in this league. It is going to be a pretty cool experience.”
Like Zadorov, Elias Lindholm had a strong showing in Vancouver’s 2024 playoffs. GM Don Sweeney signed both players to long term contracts in hopes that they would be most valuable in the post season. The time has arrived, and the Bruins are counting on them more than ever. Charlie McAvoy, coming off the best offensive season of his career (and his most painful – broken jaw) will look to continue his excellent season.
Prediction
The Bruins. I’m picking the Bruins. In 6. If there’s one thing I have learned this season is not to count Boston out. They are relentless, they don’t give up, they are survivors. The kind of team that has playoff success. Buffalo has had a great season and comes in as the favourite but Boston has more playoff experience and better goaltending. These are the intangibles that I think make the difference.
Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday at KeyBank Center at 7:30pm. The Sabres rink will be loud, and the same can be said for the TD Garden when the series shifts back to Boston.
“It took everybody,” Sweeney said. “We’re proud of where we are, but we have a lot of work to do, and we’re excited for the challenge.”
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant/Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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