The Buffalo Sabres are poised to eliminate the Boston Bruins in Game 5 of their playoff series after a dominant 6-1 victory in Game 4. This marks a critical moment for the Sabres, aiming for their first playoff series win since 2007.
Key points
Sabres lead the playoff series against Bruins
Buffalo aims for first playoff series win since 2007
Game 4 ended with a 6-1 victory for the Sabres
Alex Lyon was close to a shutout in Game 4
Game 5 will take place in Buffalo
Buffalo SabresBoston BruinsAlex Lyon
Sabres ride momentum into Game 5 with Bruins on the ropes
After taking a second straight home loss in "embarrassing" fashion, the Boston Bruins are on the brink of elimination as the scene of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series shifts back to Buffalo.
The Sabres will look to land the knockout punch against their Atlantic Division rivals and earn their first playoff series win since 2007 in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
Buffalo's 6-1 win in Game 4 on Sunday quickly became a laugher. Four first-period goals were more than enough, and Alex Lyon was 39.9 seconds away from shutting out the Bruins in his second straight start in the series.
"We have an extremely highly competitive group. We all have a standard that we all carry ourselves to -- and it wasn't met," said Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who appeared to yell at his teammates while exiting the bench after being relieved by Joonas Korpisalo in the third period.
History does not favor Boston, but the series is not over yet.
Logan Stanley #64 of the Buffalo Sabres defends the net as Hampus Lindholm of the Boston Bruins crashes into it during Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
Q&A
What is the significance of Game 5 for the Sabres and Bruins?
Game 5 is crucial as the Sabres can eliminate the Bruins and secure their first playoff series win since 2007.
How did the Sabres perform in Game 4 against the Bruins?
The Sabres won Game 4 decisively with a score of 6-1, scoring four goals in the first period.
Who is the Sabres' starting goalie in the playoff series against the Bruins?
Alex Lyon has been the starting goalie for the Sabres in the playoff series against the Bruins.
When is Game 5 of the Sabres vs. Bruins playoff series scheduled?
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night.
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The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres fight along the boards during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres skates against Tanner Jeannot of the Boston Bruins during the first period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres skates during the second period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
Fraser Minten of the Boston Bruins takes a shot against Alex Lyon #34 of the Buffalo Sabres during Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke controls the puck away from Buffalo Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
Boston Bruins center Sean Kuraly scores a goal past Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (34) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power skates with the puck ahead of Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
Buffalo Sabres center Noah Ostlund controls the puck during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
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Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Logan Stanley #64 of the Buffalo Sabres defends the net as Hampus Lindholm of the Boston Bruins crashes into it during Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
1 / 9
Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Logan Stanley #64 of the Buffalo Sabres defends the net as Hampus Lindholm of the Boston Bruins crashes into it during Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
2 / 9
Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres fight along the boards during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
3 / 9
Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres skates against Tanner Jeannot of the Boston Bruins during the first period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
4 / 9
Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres skates during the second period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
5 / 9
Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Fraser Minten of the Boston Bruins takes a shot against Alex Lyon #34 of the Buffalo Sabres during Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
6 / 9
Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke controls the puck away from Buffalo Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
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Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Boston Bruins center Sean Kuraly scores a goal past Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (34) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1
8 / 9
Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power skates with the puck ahead of Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
9 / 9
Sabres seize control early in rout of Bruins
Buffalo Sabres center Noah Ostlund controls the puck during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Sabres defeat the Bruins 6-1.
While history certainly does not favor Boston, the series is not over yet.
"As far as I know, you have to win four games to move on. So they've got three. That means we still have a chance," Bruins coach Marco Sturm told reporters after Sunday's game. "I can cry about it, but I also have to push my guys for the next game and make sure our intensity is gonna be there."
"We have a one-game mission," Sturm added on Monday.
Buffalo's dominant start on Sunday made Lindy Ruff one happy coach, and not just because his team scored the opening goal for the first time in the series and built a commanding lead.
"That first period was the best period we played all year," Ruff said. "Puck pressure, scoring opportunities. We moved the puck and got the puck up ice. We didn't spend much time in our end."
On Sunday, six different Sabres scored goals, with four of them adding an assist as well.
One shining star in the series has been defenseman Bowen Byram, whose tally at the end of the four-goal frame marked his third in the last three games. He finished the game plus-3.
"He's obviously been awesome all year and has brought it to another level in the playoffs," said Owen Power, Byram's defense partner. "It's nice having him and all the other guys in here that have some playoff experience to lean on and have them help lead us."
Power, Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch have all notched points in all four games of the series, with Power and Krebs logging those streaks to begin their playoff careers. Krebs scored the first goal just 4:17 into Sunday's game.
The rock-solid team effort has extended to the net, where Lyon took over for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in relief in Game 2 and has since posted a league-best save percentage in the playoffs.
The vibes are good in Buffalo, but the message is clear: The Sabres still have to finish.
"We've done a good job in this series, but the fourth one is always the hardest," Byram said of the challenge of closing.
The Bruins had to shuffle their Monday practice lines with forward Viktor Arvidsson and defenseman Nikita Zadorov both off for maintenance days. Arvidsson left Game 4 due to an upper-body injury and did not return.
"We still have to check with medical, but we have to wait until probably (Tuesday) on both of them," Sturm said of both players' status.
Ruff expects Buffalo forwards Jason Zucker and Tyson Kozak -- who both missed time in Sunday's third period -- to be available going forward.
