Buffalo, NY (WGR Sports Radio 550) - It was an emotional night for everyone at KeyBank Center from the start as the Sabres hosted their first playoff game since the spring of 2011. It took some time, but the Buffalo offense finally broke through in the third period for four goals in the final eight minutes of the game to complete the 4-3 comeback Game 1 win.
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The opening ten minutes of the first period saw plenty of hitting and energy from both the Sabres and Bruins, but it would be Boston scoring first to take the lead as Morgan Geekie jumped on a loose puck in the slot after a blocked shot and ripped a one-timer past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen midway through the first period.
Both teams had chances on the power play in the first period, but neither team could convert with the man advantage.
The penalty kill units continued to succeed to start the middle frame as each team had abridged power plays but the score remained the same. Buffalo had plenty of time controlling play in the second and continued to pepper Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman with over double the shots of Boston through two periods 27-13.
Boston jumped out to a 2-0 lead just 1:08 into the third period after Elias Lindholm put home a rebound in front off a shot from Morgan Geekie.
Just moments after extending the lead, David Pastrnak was sent to the box for slashing. But once again the Buffalo power play continued to struggle failing to score on their fourth power play of the game.
The Sabres would finally on the board with Tage Thompson stuffing home a wrap around goal to make it 2-1 and give Buffalo some life midway through the third.
The momentum shifted and it would be Thompson scoring again just minutes later to tie the game 2-2.
Less than two minutes later Buffalo took their first lead of the night with Jack Quinn finding Mattias Samuelsson in the slot to make it a 3-2 game.
In the final moments of the game the Bruins pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker and Alex Tuch would score on the empty net to make it 4-2 which would end up being the game winning goal.
Tage Thompson got called for a tripping penalty in the final minute and the Bruins would pull Swayman once again. David Pastrnak scored with the 6 on 4 man advantage with just 0:08 remaining in regulation, but it would be too little too late as the Sabres finished off the comeback with 4-3.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen did not see a high amount of shots making 17 saves on the night, but made multiple big saves throughout the game including two stops on David Pastrnak breakaways in the win.
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GAME SUMMARY:
Scoring Summary:
BUF: NONE
BOS: 10:52 - Morgan Geekie (1) (David Pastrnak, Nikita Zadorov)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
BOS: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 12:02 - Tage Thompson (1) (Peyton Krebs), 15:44 - Tage Thompson (2) (Alex Tuch), 16:36 - Mattias Samuelsson (1) (Jack Quinn), 18:48 - Alex Tuch (1)(ENG) (Tage Thompson, Owen Power)
BOS: 1:08 - Elias Lindholm (1) (Morgan Geekie, David Pastrnak), 19:52 - David Pastrnak (1)(PPG) (Morgan Geekie)
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Tage Thompson - BUF
2.) Mattias Samuelsson - BUF
3.) Alex Tuch - BUF
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What's Next: Game 2 between the Sabres and Bruins is set for Tuesday night for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop. Catch all of the action on WGR Sports Radio 550 starting with pregame at 5:30 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.
Tage Thompson scores twice in third to lead Buffalo to 4-3 Game 1 win
Tage Thompson scores twice in third to lead Buffalo to 4-3 Game 1 win
