Sabers sweep Bruins, end 18-season playoff streak

boston — Alex Touche And Matthias Samuelson scored in the first period, Jack Benson Another was added to the third and early Buffalo Sabres the beat Boston Bruins 4-1 Friday night in Game 6 to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

Josh Norris An empty-net has been added. Alex Lyon Finished with 25 saves.

The 4-2 series win was the latest milestone for Buffalo, which ended a 14-year playoff drought by capturing its first Atlantic Division title. The 2006–07 season was also the last time the Sabers advanced to the second round. They lost in the conference finals that year.

Buffalo will play the winner Montreal–Tampa Bay Series in the second round. The series will go seven games after the Lightning 1-0 win in overtime Friday night in Montreal.

David Pastrnak Scored the only goal for the Bruins. Jeremy Swayman Made 22 stops.

The Tempers flared with 1:31 to play after Benson tripped Charlie McAvoy. McAvoy responds with a slash to Benson. Both were sent to the penalty box.

It capped a stunning series comeback for the Bruins after clinching a playoff berth in their first season under coach Marco Storm. Boston has lost its last six home playoff games.

Trailing 2-1 in the third, the Bruins picked up their offense and did some work in the Sabres’ zone. but Josh Doan Punch away the puck to start a break. He was chased to the corner by Pastrnak and McAvoy when Dwan flipped it back to a wide-open Benson, who beat Swayman.

The Sabres’ pace dominated early.

That changed 1:54 into the second period when a Buffalo turnover turned into a 2-on-1 break between Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. Zacha passed to Pastrnak on the left side and he fired it from the faceoff circle to get the Bruins within 2-1. It marked his third goal in the series.

It was part of a second period that saw an increase in physical play that was approved by most referees. It had a stretch of more than nine minutes without a break in play.

The Sabers needed just 3:25 to open the scoring in the first period when Tuch guided a touch pass in front of the net. Rasmus Dahlin.