Buffalo Sabres rally to stun Boston Bruins for first playoff win in 15 years

Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Quinn (C) logged an assist in a comeback win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday in Buffalo, N.Y. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

April 20 (UPI) -- The Buffalo Sabres scored four consecutive times in the third period to rally past the Boston Bruins and earn their first playoff victory in 15 years.

Sabres fans bounced in their seats as they watched a trio of goals in a span of just 4:34 as part of the rally in Game 1 of the first-round Eastern Conference series Sunday in Buffalo, N.Y. Forward Tage Thompson scored twice in the 4-3 comeback triumph at KeyBank Center.

"I think we have been in situations all season that have prepared us for games like this," Thompson told reporters. "It's another level and the intensity ramps up, but we've been in situations where we've been behind in games and found our way out of them. When you do that, you get confidence.

"When you are in similar situations, you know you can do it again."

The victory was the Sabres' first since they beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on April 22, 2011.

"The last thing you want is regret," Thompson said. "It was a heightened feeling of hunger, and we didn't want to let this opportunity slip."

Forward Alex Tuch scored the Sabres' final third-period score and assisted Thompson's second goal, which tied the game. Thompson also recorded an assist. Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen logged 17 saves.