BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Mattias Samuelsson had a goal and two assists as the Buffalo Sabres beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Saturday night for their eighth straight victory.
Samuelsson’s three-point night came together in a three-goal second period with assists on goals by Ryan McLeod and Peyton Krebs.
Josh Norris added an empty-netter late and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves for Buffalo.
The Sabres' win streak is their longest since they won 10 in a row in November 2018.
David Pastrnak scored in the first period for the Bruins, who have lost five in a row and six of their last seven games. Joonas Korpisalo made 30 saves.
Pastrnak opened the scoring at 11:56 of the first with his 15th goal of the season.
The Sabres grabbed a 2-1 lead with goals 1:33 apart in the second period. McLeod’s seventh of the season at 1:39 tied it and Krebs’ second of the year at 3:12 gave them the lead. Samuelsson’s sixth of the season made it 3-1 at 7:54.
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin did not play because he was attending to his fiancee in Sweden. He should be back and available for their upcoming road trip.
The Bruins did not have a morning skate due to travel issues departing Boston on Saturday morning.
Bruins: Continue a five-game road trip in Calgary on Monday night.
Sabres: Begin a three-game road trip at St. Louis on Monday night.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Boston Bruins left wing Viktor Arvidsson (71) skates in front of Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres center Ryan McLeod (71) is pressured by Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
The Texans are back in the playoffs, Philip Rivers and the Colts are out and the Broncos are AFC West champions.
Houston (11-5) secured its third straight playoff berth under coach DeMeco Ryans with a 20-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. The Texans eliminated Indianapolis (8-7) in the process and stayed in the race for a third consecutive AFC South title.
The loss by the Chargers (11-5) allowed Denver (13-4) to clinch a division that was owned by the Kansas City Chiefs for the past nine seasons.
The Broncos became the second team to earn a division title, joining the NFC East champion Eagles. Twelve of the NFL's 14 playoff spots are now locked up.
The Eagles (10-5), Bears (11-5), Seahawks (12-3), 49ers (11-4), Rams (11-4) and Packers (9-5-1) are in the NFC playoffs. The Panthers (8-7) and Buccaneers (7-8) are battling for the final playoff spot.
The Broncos, Patriots (12-3), Bills (11-4), Jaguars (11-4), Chargers and Texans have clinched AFC playoff spots. The Steelers (9-6) and Ravens (7-8) are fighting for the remaining berth.
Here’s an updated playoff picture:
New England clinches with a win over the Jets and a loss or tie by Buffalo, or a tie against New York and loss by the Bills.
Buffalo would clinch with victories over Philadelphia and the Jets if the Patriots lose to either the Jets or Dolphins.
The Steelers clinch with a win or tie against the Browns, or if the Ravens lose or tie the Packers on Saturday night.
The Ravens would clinch if Pittsburgh loses to Cleveland and they beat Green Bay and the Steelers in the final two games.
Jacksonville clinches with wins over Indianapolis and Tennessee, or one win and a loss or tie by Houston next week.
The Texans can win the division with a victory over the Colts next week and one loss by the Jaguars against Indianapolis or the Titans.
The Broncos clinched the division and can secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed this weekend if the Patriots lose and the Bills lose or tie and the Jaguars lose or tie.
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles became the first team to win this division in consecutive seasons in two decades. They’ll be the NFC’s No. 2, 3 or 4 seed.
Chicago clinches with a win over San Francisco, a loss by Green Bay or if both teams tie.
The Packers have to win their final two games against the Ravens and Vikings and the Bears would have to go 0-2 or 0-1-1 for Green Bay to win the division.
Carolina clinches with a win over Seattle and a loss or tie by Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers clinch with victories over Miami and the Panthers in the final two games.
The Seahawks clinch the division with a victory over Carolina and a loss or tie by the Rams and a loss or tie by the 49ers, or a tie against the Panthers and losses by the Rams and 49ers.
The 49ers would clinch the division and the No. 1 seed if they beat the Bears and Seahawks in their final two games at home.
The Rams still have a path to a division crown, but must finish with a better record than both Seattle and San Francisco.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun, left, talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix following an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) stands on the field after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) acknowledges the fans as he leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff walks off the field after the team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
