The Sabres will look to bounce back on the road following a disappointing 4-2 loss on home ice in Game 2 of their first-round matchup with the Boston Bruins. The Sabres cancelled their Wednesday afternoon practice before they shipped out to Boston for Games 3 and 4, though some Sabres did meet with the media.
Lindy Ruff opened his availability discussing the Sabres struggling power play. “Getting the power play going is important. If you look at the 2 or 3 real good opportunities we had on it… that would give us the lead in the game and put you in a better place.” said Ruff. The power play is on a cold streak that stretches back into the regular season, 0 for their last 31 and currently dead last in the NHL playoffs.
Norris also touched on the importance of executing on the man advantage “We’d like to be better, power plays are huge in the playoffs and we’ve got to find a way to put one in.” If the Sabres are able to make the Bruins pay for some of their unnecessary penalties, it could help deter some of the Bruins post whistle antics.
Ruff would not comment on the other hot topic surrounding the Sabres; his plan for who will start Game 3 in net. Though he did mention how effective the rotation used in the regular season was, “with both goaltenders playing well it was easy for us to go through that rotation.”
Lyon saw his first playoff action for the Sabres when he relieved Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of his duties just 16-seconds into the third period, and had this to say about how he stays ready on the bench or through long stretches without starts “There’s no secret recipe to any of it, starting, being off, you just got to grind and it’s never easy. When you think it’s gonna be easy that’s usually when things start to go south, so you’ve just gotta have that tension all the time.”
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Alex Lyon #34 of the Buffalo Sabres tends goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Boston won 4-2. Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images
Lyon could be called upon for his first playoff start after a tough outing from his partner Luukkonen who conceded 4 goals on just 20 shots.
A common thread from the Sabres who spoke was the need to clean up some defensive play as they head out East. Logan Stanley acknowledged the issue, “We gave up too many odd man rushes last night, that’s not gonna win you hockey games in the playoffs.. we’ll clean that up””. The Sabres have allowed a handful of breakaways, including a few short handed. This time of year is not kind to teams who consistently allow these opportunities.
Ruff also highlighted the impact of these odd man rush opportunities “If you take out the 6 odd rushes we’ve given up so far, there’s very few even strength chances for either club.”
Buffalo will look to get back to their game on Thursday night for Game 3 at TD Garden at 7:00pm ET.
