Sabres Return to Playoffs, Host Bruins in First Round

Buffalo, N.Y. The Buffalo Sabres return to the NHL playoffs after a 14-year absence, set to host the Boston Bruins in a first-round series that begins Sunday night at KeyBank Center. The matchup revives a long-dormant rivalry between the Atlantic Division rivals, with Buffalo aiming to leverage its high-octane style against Boston's physical approach.

The Sabres clinched the Atlantic title this season, surging from last in the Eastern Conference in early December to second overall in the league with a 39-9-5 second-half record. They finished fifth in the NHL with 283 goals scored and tied for 10th in goals allowed at 240. Captain Rasmus Dahlin, 26, and leading scorer Tage Thompson headline a young roster largely inexperienced in postseason play, including Dahlin's 568 regular-season games without a playoff appearance, ranking him fourth among active NHLers.

Boston, meanwhile, rebounded dramatically after missing the playoffs last year, jumping 24 points in the standings with a 20-18-2 record following a four-game losing skid in late December, then closing 25-9-8. The Bruins tied for 10th with 268 goals and ranked 14th in allowing 247. Under first-year coach Marco Sturm, they...