Score: Buffalo Sabres 6 | Boston Bruins 3
Shots: BUF 37 | BOS 20
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Tage Thompson (41, 42, 43), Alex Tuch (33), Rasmus Dahlin (15), Jason Zucker (21)
Boston Bruins: Elias Lindholm (16), Morgan Geekie (29), Casey Mittelstadt (14)
Minus 1: The First Period
Sunday’s game did not start off well for the Sabres, as the Bruins absolutely dominated the first period. Lindholm opened the scoring just 3:37 in with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen way out of position after making an initial save. The Sabres had far too many giveaways – 12 in the first period alone, to Boston’s one – and played a sloppy opening twenty. After Lindholm scored, Geekie made it 2-0 later in the period. Buffalo failed to capitalize on two separate power plays. The Bruins scored twice on just eight shots.
It didn’t spell a very good time. But then…
Plus 1: Turning It Around
You’ve got to give this team props tonight. After a dismal first period, they didn’t back down, they stepped up and took charge starting with the second period. Buffalo scored twice in a span of 3:14 to tie the game, thanks to Thompson & Tuch. And, when Boston scored to regain the lead, the Sabres once again stepped up. Dahlin’s goal late in the period made it a 3-3 game, and at this point, things looked 180 degrees different than they did in the first period.
Compared to the first period, the Sabres had just four giveaways. They outshot the Bruins 13-7, squandering just one goal – to old friend Casey Mittelstadt, on the power play.
Plus 1: Finishing It Strong
On the heels of a much stronger second period, the Sabres came out for the third period with a jump. Great to see Jason Zucker notch his 21st goal of the season with the eventual game-winner, just 1:59 into the final frame. Then, of course, Thompson scores a few minutes later to pad the lead – then notches the empty-netter to complete the hat trick. He’s now up to 43 goals on the season — could we see him tie or even surpass his career-best of 47, set in the 2022-23 season?
Final Thoughts
Lukkonen got a much, much-needed boost and got his first win since March 17. After that first period… it looked rough. The best part of the first period was when Mattias Samuelsson – of all people – kept the puck out of the empty net and cleared it, preventing the Bruins from going up 2-0. Of course, they eventually did take that lead, but the point stands. There were a lot of turnovers and defensive mistakes and it did not look good. But this team deserves credit for the final 40 minutes and managing to pull off a win.
Ten different Sabres players recorded at least a point. Aside from Thompson’s hat trick, Bowen Byram (2A), Peyton Krebs (2A), Rasmus Dahlin (1G1A) and Alex Tuch (1G1A) each also had multi-point performances. Zach Benson & Beck Malenstyn each had three hits.
An all-around team effort in the last 40 minutes really turned this game around, and it was a critical win for the Sabres to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They’ve now won four in a row and have six games left in the regular season. Next up: Carolina on Tuesday.