Sabres vs. Bruins live score, updates, highlights from NHL playoffs return to Buffalo after 15 years originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — KeyBank Center is the site of the best story in the NHL: the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres had missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons, but they’re back, and it starts Sunday night. The Eastern Conference first-round series matches Buffalo up with the Boston Bruins in a series that matches one of hockey’s surprise teams against one of its perennial contenders.
The Sabres were in last place in the Eastern Conference on December 8.
By the end of the regular season, they had the second-most points in the East, not just getting into the playoffs but ensuring that their return would be played at home.
It’s hard to know for sure how the Sabres will respond to this season, but given the way they played the whole second half of the campaign, it’s safe to expect them to be formidable.
The Bruins, of course, won’t be a pushover. Led by David Pastrnak, Boston remains a talented bunch, and they made it out of a jumble in the Eastern Conference standings to ensure this playoff berth.
The NHL clearly likes the storylines here: They made it the primetime ESPN game on Sunday night as the playoffs opened this weekend.
Below, we’ll bring you all the updates you need to keep up with the action from Buffalo with The Sporting News live from the KeyBank Center.
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins live score
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| 1st Period | 2nd Period | 3rd Period | Live score | |
| Boston Bruins | — | — | — | 0 |
| Buffalo Sabres | — | — | — | 0 |
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins live updates
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First Period
– Mattias Samuelsson just absolutely lit someone up.
– Jason Zucker with a strong chance in front but not quite for Buffalo with about 11 minutes remaining in the first period. Swayman with a strong left pad.
– Couple early icings by the Bruins. Sabres’ forecheck has been strong.
– Six minutes in and the biggest play might be a diving blocked shot by Buffalo’s Mattias Samuelsson on what otherwise looked like a clean look from the slot for the Bruins.
– Some heavy hits early, including one by Alex Tuch. One shot on target apiece in first four minutes.
– Sabres have the first shot on target, an easy catch for Swayman. KeyBank Center is LOUD.
– It’s time. Playoff hockey is back in Buffalo.
Pregame
– Among the lines intrigue: The Bruins have a pairing of youngsters on the third line with James Hagens and Fraser Minten.
– Warmups are done. Pregame festivities commence at 7:29, with faceoff at 7:42.
– As expected, starting goalies are Jeremy Swayman for Boston and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for Buffalo.
– About 45 minutes until opening faceoff and the KeyBank Center is already nearly full. These fans are ready.
– They just showed a very small baby on the video board. That child will never know what the playoff drought was like.
– In the arena, the band Uncovered Buffalo provides some pregame entertainment. They open with that classic line: “The boys are back in town.” Yep, Sabres playoff hockey is back in town.
– Also, because of course it has, it has snowed in much of Western New York on Sunday.
– Parking lots in downtown Buffalo are cleaning up tonight. Even a couple miles from the arena was $30, and only up from there.
– A sign on the way on 33-West into Buffalo reads, “Welcome to Lindy Ruffalo.” The city is ready.
– Of note for fans tuning in: The official time scheduled for the opening faceoff is 7:42 p.m. ET.