Boston Bruins
The Bruins will open their first-round series against the Sabres on Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m.
The Bruins will open their first-round series against the Sabres on Sunday evening. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
April 17, 2026 | 7:30 AM
1 minute to read
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.
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).
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.
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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