Well things didn’t start out like you would have hoped to kick off the 2018-19 season for the Buffalo Sabres. The fans were into the game early and most were expecting a hot start.
Instead we got a lot of what we saw last season. Sloppy defensive zone coverage, turnovers and hesitation with the puck.
The Bruins got on the board first when Zdeno Chara snuck down the wing all alone. He had all day to beat Carter Hutton short side.
Defensive coverage continued to be an issue during a penalty kill. Three players followed the puck carrier to the wall and set up a nice mini 2 on 1 play that Ryan Donato finished off with ease to make it 2-0.
Marco Scandella and Nathan Beaulieu were a few players who struggled in the opening 20 minutes. Dahlin on the other hand looked solid to start his NHL career. A few nice passes to start the rush up ice and stepped up on Jake DeBrusk on his first shift.
The struggles continued in the second period. While the Sabres managed to put 11 shots on Jaroslav Halak, very few were threatening. The breakouts were sloppy and they weren’t bringing much speed on the forecheck offensively.
Boston increased their lead in the middle frame to make it 3-0. David Pastrnak was left all alone at the doorstep for another easy lay up.
After 40 minutes the home team was booed off the ice for the second straight period in what would end being a very frustrating night.
The third period they brought some more pressure, but it was too little too late at that point. Halak had a relatively easy night seeing all the shots that came his way. The Bruins did a good job keeping everything to the outside and the Sabres couldn’t get out of their own way for most of the night.
Not the start we wanted to see, but luckily they’re back at it Saturday against the New York Rangers.
Final: Bruins 4, Sabres 0
Shots on Goal: Sabres 32 | Bruins 26
Sabres Goals: None
Bruins Goals: Chara (1), Donato (1), Pastrnak (1) and Bergeron (1) (SHG) (ENG)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Brad Marchand (4 A)
2. Jaroslav Halak (32 saves on 32 shots)
3. Patrice Bergeron (1 G, 1 A)