The Buffalo Sabres scored first, but a pair of power play goals helped propel the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over Buffalo on Thursday night at TD Garden in Boston.
Rasmus Ristolainen capitalized on a rebound opportunity for his first goal of the season, giving the Sabres a 1-0 lead over Boston. The goal came on the power play with the defenseman at the top of the crease, pouncing on a second chance after Jack Eichel took a wrist shot from the left wing faceoff dot. Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask made the initial save, but could not find the puck to keep it from going in the net. Eichel and Victor Olofsson assisted on the power play marker that gave Buffalo the lead. Sean Kuraly was in the penalty box after being called for a tripping minor that led to the special teams chance.
The Bruins did not record their first shot of the game until the 7:50 mark of the opening stanza. At the time, shots on goal were 14-0 in favor of the blue and gold.
Boston did, however, tie the score just minutes later thanks to a turnover in the offensive zone. Zdeno Chara was able to collect the puck at the blue line to take a shot that was tipped by Brad Marchand in front of the net. Marchand's 14th goal of the season tied the score 1-1 late in the first. Chara and David Pastrnak were credited with the assists on the equalizer.
Curtis Lazar and Chris Wagner dropped the gloves and were each assessed a two-minute roughing minor and five-minute fighting major penalty for their efforts.
Shots on goal were 17-4 in favor of Buffalo after 20 minutes. One of Linus Ullmark's three saves in the first came with just seconds to go in the period, and was made with Pastrnak just off the top of the crease.
Buffalo failed to score on their second power play chance of the night. This time, thanks to a near-breakaway attempt by Zemgus Girgensons. Matt Grzelcyk hooked the Sabres forward and was whistled for a minor penalty.
A holding penalty on Rasmus Asplund gave the Bruins their first power play chance of the game midway through the middle frame. Marchand was able to slide home a second chance opportunity for his second of the night to give Boston a 2-1 lead.
Jake McCabe was penalized less than a minute into the third period, and the Bruins took advantage to extend their lead to 3-1. Pastrnak was able to find the loose puck on a rebound chance and flip the puck into the net. The goal was assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Heinen.
Brandon Montour scored with just over seven minutes to go in regulation to bring the blue and gold back to within a goal, 3-2. Montour blasted the shot from inside the blue line after receiving a cross-ice pass from Conor Sheary. Both Sheary and Rasmus Dahlin assisted on the goal.
The biggest save of the game was made by Rask on Evan Rodrigues partway through the third period. The Bruins netminder was able to use his blocker to lunge and knock down the Rodrigues shot on goal. At the time, the save kept the score 3-1 in favor of the home team.
Buffalo had several chances to tie the score, but failed to get the game-tying goal before the end of regulation.
GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: 5:25 - Rasmus Ristolainen (1) PP (Jack Eichel, Victor Olofsson)BOS: 13:52 - Brad Marchand (14) (Zdeno Chara, David Pastrnak)
Second Period
BUF: noneBOS: 14:45 - Brad Marchand (15) PP (Matt Grzelcyk, Danton Heinen)
Third Period
BUF: 12:58 - Brandon Montour (2) (Conor Sheary, Rasmus Dahlin) BOS: 1:56 - David Pastrnak (20) PP (Unasssisted)
Penalty Summary:
First Period
BUF: 14:14 - Curtis Lazar (Roughing - 2 min.); 14:14 - Curtis Lazar (Fighting - 5 min.)BOS: 5:05 - Sean Kuraly (Tripping - 2 min.); 14:14 - Chris Wagner (Roughing - 2 min.); 14:14 - Chris Wagner (Fighting - 5 min.)
Second Period
BUF: 13:15 - Rasmus Asplund (Holding - 2 min.)BOS: 4:44 - Matt Grzelcyk (Hooking - 2 min.); 15:16 - Charlie Coyle (Hooking - 2 min.)
Third Period
BUF: 0:32 - Jake McCabe (Holding - 2 min.)BOS: 3:33 - Joakim Nordstrom (Tripping - 2 min.)
Shots on Goal:
BUF: 38 (17, 7, 14)BOS: 27 (4, 14, 9)
Goalies:
BUF: Linus Ullmark - 24 savesBOS: Tuukka Rask - 36 saves
Power Plays:
BUF: 1 for 4 (25%) BOS: 2 for 2 (100%)
Three Stars:
- Tuukka Rask - BOS
- Brad Marchand - BOS
- Danton Heinen - BOS
What's Next:
The Sabres continue their three-game road trip by heading down to South Florida for a matchup with the Florida Panthers on Sunday afternoon at the BB&T Center. Faceoff is set for 5 p.m. with the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show starting at 4 p.m. on our sister station, WBEN 930 AM.
