The Three Biggest Disappointments of the 2025 NFL Season | Deadspin.com

The Three Biggest Disappointments of the 2025 NFL Season | Deadspin.com

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Dec 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

We’ve made it to the final three weeks of the NFL season. At this point, we have a pretty decent idea of how teams are. Teams like the Broncos and Patriots have to be excited with how their seasons have gone, while the Chiefs and Lions must be disappointed in their likely playoff misses.

Those teams aren’t close to being the biggest disappointments in 2025. The Lions are still an excellent playoff team, who could sneak into the playoffs, and the Chiefs have been a dynasty for nearly the last decade, so they can’t be too crushed by one bad season. Here are the three teams most disappointed in how their seasons have gone.

Falcons

When you have two of the best skill players in the league in Bijan Robinson and Drake London on your roster, you expect to be one of the more potent offenses in the NFL. It also felt like the Falcons’ defense was a few pieces away from being better than average. Unfortunately for Atlanta, it has been another season of mediocrity, where they have already been eliminated with three weeks to play.

However, the biggest disappointment for the Falcons comes with Michael Penix. Not only did he struggle when he was available this season, but he tore his ACL again, adding to the laundry list of knee injuries he’s dealt with over the course of his career. The Falcons are stuck with Kirk Cousins’ contract, will be without Penix going into next year, and it doesn’t feel like they are a move or two away from competing in 2026. The Falcons might be looking to rebuild again after what is already shaping up to be an unsuccessful one.

Commanders

Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesDec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

After being one game away from the Super Bowl last season, the Commanders have hit a complete 180 and bottomed out in the worst way possible. Injuries have been a massive issue for Washington, but even when they had their full roster, things still seemed off. An aging defense that seemed to pull out every one-score game last year has fallen back to earth, and that’s not even close to the biggest concern for Washington.

Jayden Daniels struggled to stay on the football field, and Commanders fans have to be thinking of another awesome rookie who struggled to stay on the field in year two. Daniels can be one of the most exciting players in the country, but he needs to find ways to better protect himself as a runner. No quarterback can last taking the hits he’s been dealt, and if that doesn’t change, Daniels won’t be able to last for years to come in the NFL.

Vikings

Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (14) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesDec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (14) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

When Minnesota decided to move on from Sam Darnold for second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, it felt like he was being thrust into the perfect situation. The Vikings’ defense is one of the best in the league, they have a solid enough running game, and having the receiving core of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson makes things much easier for a first-time starter.

Well, Nine has had an absolute nightmare season in Minnesota, and Sam Darnold has thrived in his new home in Seattle. Not only have you fallen to the basement cellar of the NFC North, but the guy you let walk is also proving he wasn’t a one-year wonder. The Vikings are easily the biggest disappointment in the NFL in 2025.

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Deadspin | Frederik Andersen, Canes shut out Senators in Game 1 Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) battles against Carolina Hurricanes defenseman K’andre Miller (19) and goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images Frederik Andersen made 22 saves and Logan Stankoven had a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes overcame a slow start to defeat the visiting Ottawa Senators 2-0 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C. Taylor Hall also scored and Jackson Blake was credited with two assists for the Hurricanes, who are the top-seeded team in the conference. Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for the Senators, who met the Hurricanes for the first time in the postseason. The Hurricanes chose to go with the 36-year-old Andersen instead of record-setting rookie Brandon Bussi in nets. Andersen was up to the task. The 13-year veteran registered his sixth career playoff shutout, though he didn’t record a shutout during 35 regular-season outings this season. His playoff career record improved to 47-35, which includes a shutout last May versus the Florida Panthers. The game began with captains Brady Tkachuk of Ottawa and Jordan Staal of Carolina drawing fighting majors off the opening faceoff. The Hurricanes, normally a team with a high volume of shots, didn’t put a shot on goal for the game’s first 12 minutes. Then they fired the next eight shots. By the end of the scoreless first period, Carolina held an 8-5 edge in shots despite Ottawa going on the lone power play. Though the Hurricanes finished 0-for-5 on power plays, they scored in the second and third periods at even strength. Stankoven’s goal came 2:11 into the second period, with assists going to Blake and Hall. Hall scored in a scramble in front of the net 7:15 into the third period. The Senators posted seven shots in the first nine minutes of the third period, exceeding their shot numbers from each of the first two periods. They had nine total shots entering the third period. Yet Carolina had three power plays across a third-period stretch, including some time on a 5-on-3 advantage, and didn’t score. The Senators pulled Ullmark late in the third period, then went on a power play with 2:35 remaining. But Andersen saved three shots and his teammates blocked five others to preserve the shutout. Game 2 is Monday night in Raleigh. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Frederik #Andersen #Canes #shut #Senators #GameApr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) battles against Carolina Hurricanes defenseman K’andre Miller (19) and goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Frederik Andersen made 22 saves and Logan Stankoven had a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes overcame a slow start to defeat the visiting Ottawa Senators 2-0 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.

Taylor Hall also scored and Jackson Blake was credited with two assists for the Hurricanes, who are the top-seeded team in the conference.

Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for the Senators, who met the Hurricanes for the first time in the postseason.

The Hurricanes chose to go with the 36-year-old Andersen instead of record-setting rookie Brandon Bussi in nets. Andersen was up to the task.

The 13-year veteran registered his sixth career playoff shutout, though he didn’t record a shutout during 35 regular-season outings this season. His playoff career record improved to 47-35, which includes a shutout last May versus the Florida Panthers.

The game began with captains Brady Tkachuk of Ottawa and Jordan Staal of Carolina drawing fighting majors off the opening faceoff.

The Hurricanes, normally a team with a high volume of shots, didn’t put a shot on goal for the game’s first 12 minutes. Then they fired the next eight shots.


By the end of the scoreless first period, Carolina held an 8-5 edge in shots despite Ottawa going on the lone power play.

Though the Hurricanes finished 0-for-5 on power plays, they scored in the second and third periods at even strength.

Stankoven’s goal came 2:11 into the second period, with assists going to Blake and Hall. Hall scored in a scramble in front of the net 7:15 into the third period.

The Senators posted seven shots in the first nine minutes of the third period, exceeding their shot numbers from each of the first two periods. They had nine total shots entering the third period.

Yet Carolina had three power plays across a third-period stretch, including some time on a 5-on-3 advantage, and didn’t score.

The Senators pulled Ullmark late in the third period, then went on a power play with 2:35 remaining. But Andersen saved three shots and his teammates blocked five others to preserve the shutout.

Game 2 is Monday night in Raleigh.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Frederik #Andersen #Canes #shut #Senators #Game">Deadspin | Frederik Andersen, Canes shut out Senators in Game 1 Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) battles against Carolina Hurricanes defenseman K’andre Miller (19) and goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images Frederik Andersen made 22 saves and Logan Stankoven had a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes overcame a slow start to defeat the visiting Ottawa Senators 2-0 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C. Taylor Hall also scored and Jackson Blake was credited with two assists for the Hurricanes, who are the top-seeded team in the conference. Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for the Senators, who met the Hurricanes for the first time in the postseason. The Hurricanes chose to go with the 36-year-old Andersen instead of record-setting rookie Brandon Bussi in nets. Andersen was up to the task. The 13-year veteran registered his sixth career playoff shutout, though he didn’t record a shutout during 35 regular-season outings this season. His playoff career record improved to 47-35, which includes a shutout last May versus the Florida Panthers. The game began with captains Brady Tkachuk of Ottawa and Jordan Staal of Carolina drawing fighting majors off the opening faceoff. The Hurricanes, normally a team with a high volume of shots, didn’t put a shot on goal for the game’s first 12 minutes. Then they fired the next eight shots. By the end of the scoreless first period, Carolina held an 8-5 edge in shots despite Ottawa going on the lone power play. Though the Hurricanes finished 0-for-5 on power plays, they scored in the second and third periods at even strength. Stankoven’s goal came 2:11 into the second period, with assists going to Blake and Hall. Hall scored in a scramble in front of the net 7:15 into the third period. The Senators posted seven shots in the first nine minutes of the third period, exceeding their shot numbers from each of the first two periods. They had nine total shots entering the third period. Yet Carolina had three power plays across a third-period stretch, including some time on a 5-on-3 advantage, and didn’t score. The Senators pulled Ullmark late in the third period, then went on a power play with 2:35 remaining. But Andersen saved three shots and his teammates blocked five others to preserve the shutout. Game 2 is Monday night in Raleigh. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Frederik #Andersen #Canes #shut #Senators #Game

Deadspin | Lionel Messi’s brace helps Inter Miami slay Rapids in front of huge crowd Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver. Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead. Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history. Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review. Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead. Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar. Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute. In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer. Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowdApr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver.

Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead.

Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history.

Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review.

Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead.


Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net.

In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul.

De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar.

Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute.

In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer.

Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowd">Deadspin | Lionel Messi’s brace helps Inter Miami slay Rapids in front of huge crowd Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks and scores a penalty kick in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Lionel Messi recorded a brace and German Berterame added a tally on a header as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Denver. Messi scored the go ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box where he blasted a shot into the upper part of the left corner for a 3-2 lead. Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored a goal for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in a contest played in front of 75,824, the second-largest crowd in MLS history. Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and drew a yellow card after video review. Messi took the resulting penalty kick and rolled a shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead. Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob shot. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair sprinted well beyond the penalty arc to head away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 as it connected on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of the goal where Berterame rose above the Colorado defense and tucked a header under the cross bar. Navarro’s goal cut the Miami lead to 2-1. He started a run at midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute. In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equalizer. Miami closed the win playing a man down as Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lionel #Messis #brace #helps #Inter #Miami #slay #Rapids #front #huge #crowd

Deadspin | Sabres’ first postseason since 2011 starts with confident Bruins Oct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason. That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo. “We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.” Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011. “At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments. “That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.” Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time. Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot. The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years. “I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.” Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits. After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists). Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line. “In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.” The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year. The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #BruinsOct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason.

That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo.

“We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.”

Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011.

“At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.”

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments.

“That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.”

Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time.

Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot.


The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years.

“I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.”

Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits.

After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists).

Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line.

“In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.”

The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year.

The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #Bruins">Deadspin | Sabres’ first postseason since 2011 starts with confident Bruins Oct 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) dumps Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) battling for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images The Boston Bruins have won 11 Stanley Cup playoff rounds since the last time the Buffalo Sabres made the postseason. That experience seems to have Boston coach Marco Sturm oozing with confidence heading into Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Buffalo. “We know how we have to play, we’re going to be ready to go,” Sturm said Friday. “We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.” Buffalo forward Josh Doan said on Saturday that those comments have been seen and heard by the Sabres, who will play their first postseason game since April 26, 2011. “At the end of the day, I think our group trusts what we’re doing here and we’ll just let that play out throughout the series,” he said. “We’re going to stick to our game plan. So, it’s one of those things that you see, but at the end of the day there’s no real response from us in this room.” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff didn’t fire back either when asked about Sturm’s comments. “That’s his take on his team,” Ruff said. “I have a lot of respect for what our team has done and how we play and the speed we play the game. They’ve got a good team. I mean, they know who they are and we know who we are.” Boston won three out of four meetings with Buffalo this season, most recently a 4-3 overtime win on March 25 that moved the Bruins into a tie for third in the Atlantic Division at the time. Boston ultimately finished fourth in the Atlantic, six points behind the third-place Montreal Canadiens. That dropped the Bruins into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot. The Bruins are just happy to get back into the postseason after missing out last season for the first time in nine years. “I think if you don’t enjoy (the Stanley Cup playoffs), you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “That’s playoff hockey. That’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, intensity, physicality, blood, sweat — you name it.” Leading the way for the Bruins will be 29-year-old forward David Pastrnak, who finished the regular season with exactly 100 points (29 goals, 71 assists) — the fourth straight year he has hit triple digits. After Pastrnak, however, the Bruins have a significant drop-off in point totals with Morgan Geekie next at 68 points (39 goals, 29 assists). Sturm said he doesn’t expect Ruff to try to match up line for line. “In the past, Lindy wasn’t really a big matchup guy,” Sturm said. “He did his thing, so we’ll see where it goes. Maybe he does it differently in the playoffs, but we don’t really care.” The Sabres not only ended the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 years, they won the Atlantic Division by three points over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Buffalo doesn’t have a 100-point scorer, but Tage Thompson remains one of the top centers in the league. He followed up last year’s 44-goal output with 40 goals and 41 assists this year. The Sabres also boast one of the top offensive defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, who finished second on the team with 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists). That ranked sixth among all NHL defensemen. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sabres #postseason #starts #confident #Bruins

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