x

Already member? Login first!

Comments / New

A sloppy 3rd period results in a 5-2 loss to Boston

Posted on by Eric Piotrowski

Score: Sabres 2 | Bruins 5

Shots: BUF 31 | BOS 41

Sabres Goals: Casey Mittelstadt (10), Sam Reinhart (23)

Bruins Goals: David Pastrnak (19), David Krejci (8), Charlie Coyle (6), Taylor Hall (7), Brad Marchand (27)

1 | Physicality

The aggressiveness and physicality is noticeably increasing. Boston started to play the body early into the game but the Sabres answered. After 40 minutes the Sabres led in hits 22 – 17, after 60 minutes Buffalo was up 30-24. The hits were spread out among all of the lines, nine players had 2 or more hits.

  • Drake Caggiula – 5 hits
  • Arttu Ruotsalainen – 4 hits
  • Rasmus Dahlin – 4 hits
  • Jacob Bryson – 3 hits
  • Rasmus Ristolainen – 3 hits
  • Henri Jokiharju – 2 hits
  • Anders Bjork – 2 hits
  • Tage Thompson – 2 hits
  • Victor Olofsson – 2 hits/

2 | UPL continues to play solid

In his third career start for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, it’s looking promising. He is playing strong and making big saves. The goals that are beating him are not soft goals. He made 35 saves tonight and gave the Sabres the best chance to win.

A 3rd period breakdown ultimately lead to the loss. A few bad giveaways and sloppy play allowed Boston to move the puck and find some insurance goals.

For some reason, that first Boston shot is a tricky one. In his first start against the Bruins, as well as tonight, the first shot found the back of the net. Luukkonen has proven though that he bounces back after letting up a goal and doesn’t let it get to him.

3 | 23 goals for number 23

Sam Reinhart continues to help the Sabres offensive, tonight he scored his 23rd goal of the season. Reinhart is now tied with Alex DeBrincat for 10th in the NHL for goals scored. He is 12 goals shy of 1st place Auston Matthews and 5 goals away from 2nd place Connor McDavid. Tonight Reinhart had 7 shots on goal.

Only 5 games remaining this season, the next matchup is Saturday, May 1, 2020, at 1:00 EST in Boston.

Talking Points