Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was injured at the end of the second period in the Buffalo Sabres' 6-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.
Craig Smith's 11th goal of the season came less than two minutes into the game, giving Boston a 1-0 lead over the Sabres in the first period. David Krejci and Taylor Hall were credited with the assists on the game's first goal.
The Sabres were able to tie the score at 1-1 thanks to a shorthanded chance late in the opening period. Riley Sheahan just came out of the penalty box when he was able to score on a breakaway opportunity. The goal came as Mattias Samuelsson was also penalized for the blue and gold.
Boston re-established their lead with a goal by Sean Kuraly with just over three minutes to go in the first period. Nick Ritchie was credited with the lone assist on Kuraly's third goal of the year.
Patrice Bergeron doubled Boston's lead with a goal midway through the second period. The Bruins captain's 19th goal of the season was assisted by Jeremy Lauzon and Brad Marchand.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was injured at the end of the second period while the Sabres were on the penalty kill. The rookie goaltender was helped off the ice favoring his left leg:
Dustin Tokarski was forced to take over in goal in the third period for the Sabres.
Boston wasted little time to extend their lead to 4-1 in the final 20 minutes. Nick Ritchie re-directed Matt Grzelcyk's shot into the net. Kevan Miller was also credited with an assist for the Bruins. Smith's second goal of the game less than two minutes later ballooned the lead to 5-1 for Boston.
Arttu Ruotsalainen was able to get a goal back for Buffalo part way through the third to cut Boston's lead to 5-2.
His fifth goal of the season was assisted by Casey Mittelstadt and Rasmus Asplund.
Smith recorded a hat-trick with a power play goal late in the third. Krejci and Charlie Coyle assisted on the special team's score that was also Smith's 13th of the season, making it 6-2 Boston. It came with Will Borgen in the penalty box serving an interference minor.
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GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 12:35 - Riley Sheahan (4) SHG (Jacob Bryson, Casey Mittelstadt)
BOS: 1:21 - Craig Smith (11) (David Krejci, Taylor Hall); 16:38 - Sean Kuraly (3) (Nick Ritchie)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
BOS: 5:36 - Patrice Bergeron (19) (Jeremy Lauzon, Brad Marchand)
Third Period:
BUF: 7:02 - Arttu Ruotsalainen (5) (Rasmus Asplund, Casey Mittelstadt)
BOS: 3:18 - Nick Ritchie (13) (Matt Grzelcyk, Kevan Miller); 5:31 - Craig Smith (12) (Mike Reilly, David Krejci); 14:05 - Craig Smith (13) PPG (David Krejci, Charlie Coyle)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 10:28 - Riley Sheahan (Holding - 2 min.); 12:27 - Mattias Samuelsson (Tripping - 2 min.)
BOS: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 19:09 - Dylan Cozens (Slashing - 2 min.)
BOS: 8:34 - Sean Kuraly (Slashing - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 7:45 - Rasmus Dahlin (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 13:39 - Will Borgen (Interference - 2 min.)
BOS: 7:45 - Brad Marchand (Roughing - 2 min.); 7:45 - David Pastrnak (Roughing - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Craig Smith - BOS
2.) David Krejci - BOS
3.) Sean Kuraly - BOS
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What's Next
The Sabres will return home for the final pair of games at KeyBank Center for the season starting on Monday. Buffalo welcomes the New York Islanders to town for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. The Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 6 p.m. ET.