Just one day after the firing of head coach Ralph Krueger, the Buffalo Sabres played host to the Boston Bruins inside KeyBank Center on Thursday night. Interim bench boss Don Granato oversaw his first game for the blue and gold, in what marked the official back half of the 56-game 2020-21 season.
Unfortunately for Granato and the Sabres, the song remained the same. The blue and gold were defeated for the 13th-straight game as they were downed by the Bruins by a final score of 4-1. It was the first of these team's eight meetings in the shortened season.
The Bruins struck first, less than three minutes into the contest. Forward Greg McKegg's first goal of the season came by way of a deflection in front of Carter Hutton as the Sabres fell behind 1-0.
Buffalo answered back less than two minutes into the second period. Veteran forward Kyle Okposo scored a goal in a way he never had before in his 14-year career.
Assisting on the short-handed tally was defenseman Jacob Bryson. It was the rookie's first helper of his young career.
Boston made it a 2-1 contest later in the middle stanza when, instead, they capitalized on a man advantage. It was forward Jake DeBrusk doing the damage for the visitors.
The Sabres' deficit swelled to two with 84 seconds left in the second frame. The Bruins put together a dangerous offensive zone possession, capped off by a Craig Smith goal. It was the veteran's fifth goal of the season; his first in Boston.
On a 5-on-3 powerplay, Boston upped their lead to 4-1. Superstar winger David Pastrnak wired a one-time blast between Hutton and the right post for his 14th goal of the campaign. Assisting on the man advantage goal was David Krejci. It was his third helper of the evening.
That capped the scoring as Buffalo's record dropped to 6-19-4 through 29 games. Their last victory still remains Tuesday, February 23 against the New Jersey Devils.
GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
BOS: 2:56 - Greg McKegg (1) (Matt Grzelcyk)
Second Period:
BUF: 1:54 - Kyle Okposo (1) SHG (Jacob Bryson)
BOS: 9:15 - Jake DeBrusk (3) PPG (David Pastrnak, David Krejci); 18:36 - Craig Smith (5) (David Krejci, Connor Clifton)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
BOS: 4:44 - David Pastrnak (14) PPG (David Krejci, Brad Marchand)
Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
BOS: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 0:25 - Cody Eakin (Hooking - 2 min.); 7:35 - Matt Irwin (High-sticking - 2 min.)
BOS: 9:37 - Oskar Steen (Holding the stick - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 2:59 - Victor Olofsson (Holding - 2 min.); 4:13 - Brandon Montour (Interference - 2 min.); 10:31 - Eric Staal (Holding - 2 min.)
BOS: NONE
Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
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2.)
3.)
What's Next:
The blue and gold ready up for meeting number two with these same Bruins on Saturday afternoon right here in Buffalo. Puck drop inside KeyBank Center is set for 1 p.m., and the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with Brian Koziol starts at 12 p.m. EST on the radio home of the Buffalo Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
