Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Charlie Coyle scored a pair of power play goals, helping the Boston Bruins score three special teams tallies on their way to a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.
Despite a strong start by Buffalo, it was the Bruins striking first, as defenseman Mason Lohrei was able to come down from the blue line and convert on a rebound chance just over four minutes into the game.
The Bruins doubled their lead to 2-0 thanks to their first power play chance of the night. Charlie Coyle converted on a one-time pass from Jake DeBrusk for his 11th goal of the season. The score came while Peyton Krebs was in the penalty box for tripping.
A pair of power play goals for Boston in the second period helped them balloon their lead to four goals.
First, Coyle scored his second power play goal of the night when the puck came off his stick and deflected off of Erik Johnson's skate.
Later in the period, Morgan Geekie slid a puck to the front of the net and Devon Levi could not cover before it crossed the goal line.
Erik Johnson was able to get the Sabres on the scoresheet with his third goal of the season. The defenseman's goal came just over five minutes into the third period to trim Buffalo's deficit to 4-1.
The Sabres could not cut into the Bruins' lead any further, despite 26 total shots in the game against Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period
BUF: NONE
BOS: 4:19 - Mason Lohrei (3) (James van Riemsdyk, Trent Fredric); 13:42 - Charlie Coyle (11) PPG (Jake DeBrusk, Brad Marchand)
Second Period
BUF: NONE
BOS: 4:18 - Charlie Coyle (12) PPG (Jake DeBrusk, David Pastrnak); 13:44 - Morgan Geekie (6) PPG (Charlie McAvoy, Brad Marchand)
Third Period
BUF: 5:11 - Erik Johnson (3) (Owen Power, Casey Mittelstadt)
BOS: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Charlie Coyle - BOS
2.) Jake DeBrusk - BOS
3.) Jeremy Swayman - BOS
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What's next:
The Sabres will remain home to host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is set for 5 o'clock on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage on WGR with Brian Koziol starts at 4 p.m. EST.