A dizzying return to the NHL playoffs for the Buffalo - the home crowd went wild!

The Buffalo Sabres returned to the NHL playoffs after a 15-year hiatus. The team won its first test of the spring, defeating the Boston Bruins 4-3.

Boston led the game after the first period with a goal from Morgan Geekie, and it remained the only goal of the match for two periods. At the start of the third period, Elias Lindholm gave Boston a two-goal lead.

With only eight minutes left in the game, Buffalo began its stunning comeback. Tage Thompson scored the team’s first goal and equalized with just over four minutes remaining.

Just about a minute later, Mattias Samuelsson put Buffalo in the lead for the first time in the match. Alex Tuch scored the team’s fourth goal into an empty net with just over a minute left.

David Pastrnak narrowed the gap a few seconds before the end of the game, but Buffalo took the opening win of the series. Buffalo’s impressive comeback sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen secured the victory in goal for Buffalo, recording 17 saves.

The second game of the playoff series is set for Wednesday night, Finnish time. It will also be played at Buffalo’s home arena.