Despite Alex Tuch's first goal as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, the team could not hold a two-goal lead against the Boston Bruins. Buffalo was defeated 4-3 in overtime at TD Garden on Saturday afternoon.
Buffalo was able to kill off a penalty taken less than a minute into the game. Alex Tuch was called for cross checking, but his teammates did not allow the Bruins are good scoring chances.
Vinnie Hinostroza was activated off of the NHL's Covid-19 Protocol List prior to the game, along with Jeff Skinner, and made his presence known. Hinostorza scored his sixth goal of the season partway through the opening period, giving Buffalo a 1-0 lead. Brett Murray and Rasmus Dahlin assisted on the goal.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 13 saves in the first period to keep Boston off of the scoresheet. The Sabres were credited with six shots against former teammate Linus Ullmark, as well.
The Sabres were penalized early in the second period, just like the first, but were able to kill it off. Skinner was called for hooking just 31 seconds into the middle stanza.
However, Boston tied the game 1-1 at even strength a minute later. Craig Smith was able to capitalize on a rebound attempt at the front of the net for his third goal of the year. Brad Marchand's one-time shot created the chance, the forward an Charlie McAvoy were credited with the assists.
Skinner's 10th goal of the season came midway through the second period to put Buffalo back in front, 2-1. Alex Tuch received the lone assist on the even strength goal, it is Tuch's second point in as many games since being activated off of Injured Reserve and making his team debut earlier this week.
Tuch recorded his first goal with the Sabres, and second point of the game, with a power play goal late in the middle frame. Peyton Krebs made the pass that set up the goal. Krebs and Tage Thompson assisted on the power play goal that gave Buffalo a 3-1 lead.
The Bruins scored a pair of goals in less than a minute and a half to tie the Sabres 3-3 early in the third period. Nick Foligno's first goal with Boston trimmed the team's deficit back to a goal, 3-2, the ex-Sabre Taylor Hall notched his sixth goal of the year to even the score.
Neither team was able to get the go-ahead goal in remainder of regulation. Buffalo was credited with 23 shots on goal through three periods, while the Bruins peppered Luukkonen with 40 shots.
Charlie Coyle was able to score 34 seconds into overtime to help the Bruins complete the comeback and send Buffalo to their third straight loss following their extended Christmas break.
Game Summary
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: 6:33 - Vinnie Hinostroza (6) (Brett Murray, Rasmus Dahlin)
BOS: none
Second Period
BUF: 11:32 - Jeff Skinner (10) (Alex Tuch)
19:11 - Alex Tuch (1) PPG (Peyton Krebs, Tage Thompson)
BOS: 3:47 - Craig Smith (3) (Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy)
Third Period
BUF: none
BOS: 3:24 - Nick Foligno (1) (Jake DeBrusk)
4:49 - Taylor Hall (6) (Matt Grzelcyk, Charlie McAvoy)
Overtime
BUF: none
BOS: 0:34 - Charlie Coyle (8) (Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy)
Penalty Summary
First Period
BUF: 0:13 - Alex Tuch (2 min., cross checking)
7:07 - Anders Bjork (2 min., boarding)
BOS: none
Second Period
BUF: 0:31 - Jeff Skinner (2 min., tripping)
14:17 - Alex Tuch (2 min., interference)
BOS: 4:19 - Erik Haula (2 min,. holding the stick)
5:33 - Tomas Nosek (2 min., tripping)
18:25 - Craig Smith (2 min., hooking)
Third Period
BUF: none
BOS: 13:27 - Craig Smith (2 min., tripping)
Losi and Gangi Three Stars
1. Charlie Coyle
2. Charlie McAvoy
3. Alex Tuch
