The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Friday, May 1, 2026, to win their first-round playoff series [1].

This victory marks a significant milestone for the Buffalo franchise, as the team advances to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2007 [1].

The decisive Game 6 took place at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts [2]. The Sabres secured a four-two series win by controlling the game and eliminating the Bruins from postseason contention [1, 3].

Buffalo's offense was led by Tage Thompson, who recorded two points during the contest [5]. The Sabres' defensive effort held the Bruins to a single goal throughout the night [1].

David Pastrnak scored the lone goal for Boston [1]. Despite the loss, Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman managed 22 saves [1].

The result ends Boston's season prematurely and sends Buffalo forward in the Eastern Conference bracket. The Sabres now prepare for the second round after closing out the series on the road [1, 3].

“The Sabres won the series 4-2”

Buffalo's advancement breaks a nearly two-decade drought of second-round appearances, signaling a shift in the team's competitive trajectory. By eliminating a perennial contender like Boston in a first-round series, the Sabres establish themselves as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference for the remainder of the 2026 playoffs.