The Bruins were back in TD Garden for their first matchup of the year and they got a little healthier for this game as Patrice Bergeron and Jake DeBrusk were back in the lineup, while Torey Krug remains out for the time being. The Bruins would get off to a very slow start in this game as they would give up a power play goal to the Sabres just over six minutes into the game. After one period of play the Sabres would outshoot the Bruins 17-4, but before the period ended, the Bruins would tie the game at one. The top line for the B’s consisting of Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak did what they do best, forecheck and score goals. After forcing a turnover in the offensive zone, Pastrnak was able to slip the puck to Zdeno Chara at the blue line who fired a one-time shot at goal that got deflected by Marchand past Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark.
In the second period, it was more of the same as the Sabres out played the Bruins but Tuukka Rask kept the Bruins deadlocked with Buffalo. As we got late into the period, the B’s would go on the power play in which they have been so lethal all year long. Brad Marchand would score his 2nd goal of the game after pouncing on a rebounded shot, beating Ullmark once again, giving the Bruins the 2-1 lead.
As the third period got underway, the Bruins would once again find themselves on the power play where the NHL’s goal scoring leader, David Pastrnak would add to his lead and the lead held by the Bruins making it a 3-1 game with his 20th of the season.
Almost immediately after the goal, the Bruins would take a penalty themselves putting Buffalo on the power play. Tuukka Rask would continue to be not only the best penalty killer, but the best Bruin on the ice as he made this incredible save.
As we got later in the third period, the Sabres would continue their fight back. They would score to make it 3-2 with 7:02 to play in the game on a shot that Tuukka Rask would like to have back. It was a one-timed slap shot from the blue line that he saw every bit of, but was just late trying to make the glove save. With about two minutes to play the Sabres would empty their net for the extra attacker but the Bruins would do a great job of wasting time and ending the game for the win and get points in their 6th straight game.
The Bruins will be back in action on Saturday as they play host to former Bruin Ryan Donato and the Minnesota Wild at 7pm.
Videos courtesy of NHL.com