The three game series between Boston and Buffalo certainly saw plenty of goals, especially in the final two games. While it wasn’t all pretty, the Bruins should still be proud of the fight they showed throughout the the stretch in Buffalo, and the win streak they put together.
Game one of the three game series saw both Clifton and Marchand score, as the Bruins took game one in large part due to Rask’s shutout performance.
Game one of the back to back started off with a Brad Marchand goal, a familiar sight. Marchand’s goal was the only score in the first period. Ruotsalainen temporarily brought the Sabres back level through an assist from former Bruin Anders Bjork. Though, it wouldn’t last, as the B’s really turned on the jets.
The Bruins would regain the lead with around seven to go in the second frame. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. Grzyelcyk notched his fourth goal of the season, while Pastrnak grabbed assist number 23. The third period would be more of the same. Pastrnak scored a great goal after a smooth deke to extend the lead, while Nick Ritchie iced the game. Krejci added just his sixth goal of the season at the death for a 5-1 final score.
The matchup on Friday night did not go as swimmingly for the Boston Bruins. Though, you wouldn’t be able to tell from the first ten minutes. Steve Kampfer sniped his second goal of the 2021 campaign to the bottom right for the Bruin’s first, and only lead. Before the period’s end, Sam Reinhart grabbed his first of the game on the power play for the Sabers, equalizing the game.
The start of the second period also marked the start of the Sabres onslaught. Rasmus Dahlin stole the lead, while Mittelstadt’s one timer in the slot made it 3-1. It wasn’t over yet, as Ruotsalainen added a fourth goal to Buffalo’s lead. Three minutes later, Sam Reinhart scored another power play goal, leaving a four goal deficit on the board.
The Bruins were not phased by the large hill to climb, at least not completely. Nick Ritchie forced the puck across the goal line to pull one back. Kevan Miller scored for the first time this season when he took up an offensive push. He was able to locate the five hole of goaltender Ukko Luukkonen, making the game 5-3.
With the net empty, Taylor Hall got some help from Rasmus Ristolainen, who tipped the puck beautifully into his own net. The final necessary goal to complete the comeback was never found, and Sam Reinhart finished off a hat trick with an empty netter. The Bruins fell to the Sabres 6-4 when it was all set and done, as the late rally wasn’t able to be complete.
The four points in the first two games with Buffalo secured their grasp of fourth place in the East division. While the Rangers are chasing, there isn’t much merit in their dreams. Two games in hand with six points more is a sizable lead, one they should not be broken. The Bruins visit Pittsburgh in a Sunday matinee on national TV, and a second matchup with the Penguins on Tuesday.
The two games with Buffalo next week will mark the start of the month of May, in which Boston will play their final 7 games.