The Buffalo Sabres dominated the Boston Bruins 6-1 on Sunday, securing a 3-1 lead in their NHL playoff first-round series. Josh Doan starred with a goal and an assist in the first period, while Alex Lyon made 21 saves. Buffalo now has a chance to close out the series at home in Game 5 on Tuesday.
Buffalo Sabres took a commanding step toward their first playoff series win since 2010 by crushing the Boston Bruins 6-1 in Game 4. The Sabres, who captured the Atlantic Division and snapped a 14-year playoff absence, exploded for four goals in the first period alone. Peyton Krebs scored at 4:17, followed by Josh Doan's tally less than three minutes later and Zach Benson's goal two minutes after that. Bowen Byram made it 4-0 at 14:24, marking Buffalo's second four-goal period in the series. Alex Lyon held firm with 21 saves to stifle Boston's offense. Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman saved 23 of 29 shots before being pulled in the third period, with Joonas Korpisalo stopping all six shots in relief. Beck Malenstyn and Alex Tuch added goals 84 seconds apart to seal the rout, though Sean Kuraly notched a late consolation for Boston. Despite the win, Buffalo's power play remains ice-cold, going 0-for-2 and extending a playoff drought to 15 chances, or 37 games including the regular season. Under returning head coach Marco Sturm, the Bruins found few bright spots in their must-win home game. Game 5 heads to Buffalo on Tuesday, with a potential Game 6 in Boston on Friday.
