Here is the Bruins’ first-round playoff schedule vs. Sabres

NHL finally Timetables released for the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs very early Friday morning — with the Bruins scheduled to begin a best-of-seven matchup with the Sabers on Sunday night in Buffalo.

Puck drop for Game 1 is scheduled for 7:30 PM at KeyBank Center.

Sunday will be a busy day for Boston sports fans, as the Celtics will open a first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers on the same day, with Game 1 of that matchup between the longtime rivals scheduled for 1 p.m. at TD Garden. The Red Sox also play the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park at 1:35 PM on Sunday.

The Bruins and Celtics could overlap on multiple days during their respective first-round series — with four of those seven games (if necessary) being played on the same day.

Tuesday, April 21, will be a tough draw for Boston fans – as the Celtics take to the TD Garden for Game 2 against Philly at 7 p.m., while the puck is scheduled to drop for Game 2 between the Bruins and Sabers in Buffalo just 30 minutes later at 7:30 p.m.

The Sabers have home-ice advantage in this first-round series, with the Bruins’ first home game at TD Garden set for Game 3 (Thursday, April 23) and Game 4 (Sunday, April 26).

Here’s a look at the full schedule for Bruins vs. Sabres:

• First match: Sunday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m (KeyBank Center | TV: NESN, ESPN, SN360, TVAS | Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
• Second match: Tuesday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m (KeyBank Center | TV: NESN, ESPN, SN360, TVAS | Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
• Third match: Thursday, April 23, at 7 p.m. (TD Garden | TV: NESN, TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN360, TVAS | Radio: 98.5 SportsCenter)
• Fourth match: Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m (TD Garden | TV: NESN, TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, TVAS | Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
• Fifth match: Tuesday, April 28, at an hour to be determined later (KeyBank Center | TV: TBD | Radio: TBD)
• Sixth match: Friday, May 1, at a time to be determined later (TD Garden | TV: TBD | Radio: TBD)
• Seventh match: Sunday, May 3, at a time to be determined later (KeyBank Center | TV: TBD | Radio: TBD)

Timing and broadcast information for Games 5-7, if necessary, will be announced at a later date.

Connor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.