Bruins vs. Sabres Score, Live Updates, Highlights From Game 1 of NHL Playoffs Series

Bruins vs. Sabres Score, Live Updates, Highlights From Game 1 of NHL Playoffs Series originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After a year away from the postseason, the Bruins will return to the playoff stage when they hit the ice on Sunday night for Game 1 against the Sabres.

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Under first-year head coach Marco Sturm, Boston has found success with a structured, defensive-first mentality that relies on the brilliance of goaltender Jeremy Swayman. The Bruins will be the underdog in the first round, though, as they are going head-to-head with a Sabres squad that led the Atlantic Division with 109 points.

Both the Bruins and Sabres defied expectations this season, and now, the two contenders will battle in the postseason for the ninth time. The atmosphere in Buffalo will certainly be electric, as Sabres fans are ready to watch playoff hockey for the first time in 14 years.

Follow along right here for live updates from Game 1 between the Bruins and Sabres.

8:25 p.m.: Geekie had a prime opportunity to give Boston a 2-0 lead, but his eyes were down and he didn’t see an empty net. The Sabres’ goaltender had no chance if Geekie ripped it. But, instead, he chose to pass, and time expires in the first.

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Still, the Bruins have a 1-0 lead behind Geekie’s goal and Swayman’s strong performance. Both teams head to the locker room and look to come out in the second period firing.

8:23 p.m.: The Bruins are heading back to the penalty, with Jason Zucker now taking a penalty for holding. The power play will go into the second period, if Boston doesn’t score.

8:19 p.m.: It’s a big kill for the Bruins, and now both teams are 0-for-1 on the power play. With three minutes left in the first, the Bruins are holding onto a 1-0 lead.

Swayman has 13 saves so far.

8:18 p.m.: Swayman picks up right where he left off in the playoffs, now making a save on Ryan McLeod, who burst from end-to-end to get right in front of No. 1.

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He’s made three saves this power play.

8:16 p.m.: There’s some chaos in front of the Boston net. After Swayman makes a save, a scrum ensues as the Bruins goaltender is pushed into the net after the whistle is blown. There’s 51 seconds left in the power play.

The puck ended up in the net, but not before the play was waved off.

8:13 p.m.: Now, the Sabres will head to the power play for the first time.

It’s Nikita Zadorov going to the box for Boston, a two-minute penalty for cross-checking. For the first time tonight, the Boston kill takes the ice.

8:08 p.m.: Boston’s had a fair share of shots during the power play, but Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has made the saves.

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Now, Elias Lindholm gets shoved into the net fishing for a rebound and a scrum ensues.

8:04 p.m.: Now, Geekie creates more chaos in the offensive zone and drives the first penalty of the series. It’s a hooking call on Dahlin, sending the Buffalo captain to the box and giving Boston the first power play tonight.

There’s 7:57 remaining in the first.

8:02 p.m. GOAL: The Boston Bruins have the first goal of the series, and it’s their leading scorer from the regular season.

That’s Morgan Geekie, who had a career-high 39 goals. Here, he hits a one-timer after David Pastrnak‘s shot is blocked by Rasmus Dahlin and it goes into the net; Geekie picks up right where he left off, and it gives Boston the lead and silences the crowd.