Although Buffalo put up a good fight, it wasn’t enough to top the Boston Bruins.
Marco Scandella opened up the scoring for the Sabres in the first period. With the secondary assist, Sam Reinhart matched his career high of 30 assists — he now has 35 points in his past 31 games. It wasn’t long before the Bruins followed up with their own goal. At 9:30 Noel Acciari scored an even strength goal. Buffalo was able to keep the game tied at one at the end of the first period but they were outshot 14-7 by Boston.
In the second period, Buffalo was able to gain the lead again with a high shorthanded goal from Johan Larsson, assisted by Evan Rodrigues and Marco Scandella. The Sabres were able to hold on to the lead, but slipped late in the third period. Boston’s Jake DeBrusk scored at 17:31 on the power play following a penalty to Rasmus Ristolainen for kneeing. The game tying goal would send both teams into overtime. After 60 minutes of play, the Sabres were outshot by Boston 39-26.
Just 34 seconds into overtime, Boston’s David Krejci was called for interference – a huge power-play opportunity for Buffalo. The Bruins were successful on the kill and held the Sabres to just one shot on the power play. Sean Kuraly scored at 3:44, assisted by Matt Grzelcyk and Kevan Miller.
Carter Hutton made 39 saves while Buffalo’s penalty kill improved to 30-for-32 in their last 11 games after killing three of four penalties in tonight’s game.
“Can’t fault our efforts,” Coach Phil Housley said following the game. “It was tight, and that’s how it’s probably going to be the rest of the season. We had opportunities, didn’t capitalize.”
The Sabres are headed for a tough battle on Monday as the face the New York Islanders at Keybank Center at 6 p.m. to close out 2018.
