The Boston Bruins are in the midst of an intense fight for their playoff lives. Entering Saturday night’s action, Boston is neck-and-neck with the Detroit Red Wings for the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference.
The Bruins and Red Wings have 84 points apiece. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are right behind them with 83.
That tight playoff situation could mean that Boston might drop out of a playoff spot. But assuming they hang on, their first-round opponent could prove a challenging one.
Let’s assume the Bruins claim the first wild-card spot. That situation would mean the club would have to face the second seed in the East. That team is the Buffalo Sabres.
As implausible as that may sound, the Sabres may become the toast of the East this season. And it’s also the reason why the Bruins may not survive the first round.
The Sabres and Bruins have met three times this season. Boston has taken two out of three. But there’s a caveat to those two victories. The wins came in October, BEFORE the Sabres went on the insane hot streak that’s led them to the top of the Atlantic Division.
Their last meeting, that is, after the streak began for Buffalo, the Sabres clobbered Boston 4-1. Boston opened the scoring in the opening frame, but it was all Buffalo after that. A three-goal second period was enough to bury the Bruins.
If that’s what Boston is up against, they may not get past their first-round opponent. But it might be too soon to write Boston off just yet.
Bruins Have One More Meeting with Sabres
The Bruins have one more meeting with the Sabres this season. The game is on the docket for March 25. And, well, that game will pretty much tell fans what they can expect from a Boston-Buffalo first-round matchup.
Depending on how that game goes, Bruins fans will get an idea of how well Boston can hold up against the Sabres. A solid effort against Buffalo could mean a victory. But if the Bruins get hammered again, it may be tough to sell a first-round victory for Boston.
It’s worth pointing out that the Sabres will have reinforcements acquired at the trade deadline. So, that situation could play a key role in beating Boston.
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Boston and Buffalo Have Not Met in Playoffs in Over 15 Years
The last time the Bruins met the Sabres in the playoffs was in 2010. Buffalo and Boston met in the first-round of the 2010 NHL playoffs. The Bruins bounced the Sabres in six games. Boston went on to lose in the second round to the Philadelphia Flyers.
That was a different Boston team. That Boston squad would win the Stanley Cup the next season, while the Sabres would see another first-round exit the following season at the hands of the Flyers.
Boston got revenge on the Flyers, knocking them out in the second round. That would be a major step towards a Stanley Cup victory.
This time around, it seems both clubs are trending upward. But the Sabres’ growth has been exponential. And it’s that exponential growth that could lead the Sabres to get revenge on the Bruins some 16 years later.
Bruins Might Not Survive Potential 1st-Round Opponent