Boston Bruins

Here is the Bruins’ first-round playoff schedule vs. Sabres

The Bruins will open their first-round series against the Sabres on Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Boston Bruins center Fraser Minten (93) and Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (9) collide during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Bruins will open their first-round series against the Sabres on Sunday evening. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

The NHL finally released the schedules for the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs very early on Friday morning — with the Bruins set to begin their best-of-seven bout with the Sabres on Sunday evening in Buffalo.

Puck drop for Game 1 is set for 7:30 p.m. at KeyBank Center.

Sunday will be a busy day for Boston sports fans, as the Celtics will open their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers that same day, with Game 1 of that bout between longtime rivals set for 1 p.m. at TD Garden. The Red Sox also play the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park at 1:35 p.m on Sunday.  

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The Bruins and Celtics might overlap on several days during their respective first-round series — with four of those seven (if necessary) games held on the same day.

​Tuesday, April 21, will be a tough draw for Boston fans — as the Celtics tip off at TD Garden for Game 2 against Philly at 7 p.m., while puck drop for Game 2 between the Bruins and Sabres in Buffalo is scheduled just 30 minutes later at 7:30 p.m.

The Sabres hold home-ice advantage in this first-round series, with the Bruins’ first home games at TD Garden set for Game 3 (Thursday, April 23) and Game 4 (Sunday, April 26).

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Here is a look at the full schedule for Bruins vs. Sabres:

  • Game 1: Sunday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. (KeyBank Center | TV: NESN, ESPN, SN360, TVAS | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub) 
  • Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. (KeyBank Center | TV: NESN, ESPN, SN360, TVAS | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
  • Game 3: Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. (TD Garden | TV: NESN, TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN360, TVAS | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub) 
  • Game 4: Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. (TD Garden | TV: NESN, TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, TVAS | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub) 
  • Game 5: Tuesday, April 28 at TBD (KeyBank Center | TV: TBD | RADIO: TBD) 
  • Game 6: Friday May 1 at TBD (TD Garden | TV: TBD | RADIO: TBD) 
  • Game 7: Sunday, May 3 at TBD (KeyBank Center | TV: TBD | RADIO: TBD)

Timing and broadcast information for Games 5-7, if necessary, will be announced at a later date.

Profile image for Conor Ryan

Conor Ryan

Sports Writer

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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