Sabres mark return to the playoffs by rallying to beat Bruins
Tage Thompson and Buffalo entered their first-round series against Boston being questioned over their lack of playoff experience. Turns out, they needed just over 52 minutes of game time to get the hang of it.
Apr 19, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Boston Bruins in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images Timothy T.
Ludwig/Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images BUFFALO, N. Y.
— Tage Thompson and the Buffalo Sabres entered their first-round series against Boston being questioned over their lack of playoff experience. Turns out, they needed just over 52 minutes of game time to get the hang of it. Drawing upon the never-quit identity the team forged in vaulting from last place in the Eastern Conference standings in early December to winning its first Atlantic Division title, the Sabres marked their return to the playoffs after a NHL-record 14-season drought with a big bang.
Thompson scored twice as part of Buffalo’s four-goal surge over the final 7:58 of regulation in rallying the Sabres to a 4-3 victory in Game 1. “I think eight years of adversity is enough experience to get you ready for something like this,” said Thompson, referring to the frustrations of spending his first seven seasons in Buffalo without a playoff berth. “There’s just a heightened feeling of hunger.
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