Buffalo News columnist Mike Harrington and sports reporter Rachel Lenzi break down their picks for the Buffalo Sabres-Boston Bruins first-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Mike Harrington: There are lots of narratives already forming in Boston over the series. Two of the big ones seem pretty faulty in these eyes: The Bruins have more experience, and they have a huge edge in goal with Jeremy Swayman vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Counterpoints: The Sabres have lots of players with Stanley Cup experience, and even though big names like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin have none, they're not going to suddenly go haywire. All their Olympic moments matter, too. And Luukkonen is one of the key reasons the Sabres have been the NHL's best team for four months.
Buffalo Sabres right winger Jack Quinn (22) looks to pass against the Boston Bruins on March 25, 2026.
Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
The Sabres have plenty of scoring depth up front, one of the NHL's top blue lines, and a strong personality in goal who could just as easily channel 2006 Ryan Miller as Swayman could look like 2011 Tim Thomas. What about the lack of playoff experience for first-year Boston coach Marco Strum against Lindy Ruff? It matters. Buffalo is simply better. No deep analysis needed. Prediction: Sabres in six.
Rachel Lenzi: The Buffalo Sabres are, to quote a famous Broadway musical, young, hungry, and scrappy. They’re brimming with enthusiasm as they prepare for the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2011 – and they’re not just happy to be here. The Sabres are set on becoming a Stanley Cup championship contender. But enthusiasm will get a team only so far, and the journey to winning a Stanley Cup can get long and arduous.
The Sabres must prepare to take their hits against the Boston Bruins, a team that muscled its way into the playoffs and to a 100-point season … and still only finished in the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
This year’s Bruins could turn into the Big Bad Bruins of the 1970s and early 1980s. Terry O’Reilly and Cam Neely won’t be stepping on the ice, but Neely, now president of the Bruins, is sure to be in the house for this series. The Bruins will lean on that playoff experience and use their smarts and physicality to turn games in their favor, whether it is keeping the Sabres to the perimeter offensively or getting under the Sabres’ skin. However, they shouldn’t expect the Sabres to turn into an easy row.
Prediction: Bruins in seven.
