The Buffalo Sabres stormed back with four goals in the third period to erase a two-goal deficit and stun the Boston Bruins, 4-3, in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at KeyBank Center. The win gives Buffalo a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-seven series.
Facing a 2-0 hole late in regulation, the Sabres flipped the game behind Tage Thompson, who scored his first two career playoff goals in a span of minutes to ignite the rally. His first cut the deficit, and his second tied the game, bringing the home crowd to life. Moments later, Mattias Samuelsson buried the go-ahead goal with just over three minutes remaining, completing the comeback. Alex Tuch added an empty-netter before Boston made things tense with a late goal in the final seconds.
Buffalo’s physical edge set the tone throughout, finishing with a season-high 52 hits. Tuch and Samuelsson led that effort, helping wear down Boston over the course of the game.
In net, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen turned aside 17 shots in his playoff debut, including two critical breakaway stops on David Pastrnak that kept the Sabres within striking distance before the surge.
The Sabres will look to carry that momentum into Game 2 on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].