The Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins faced off on Tuesday night, the first games for both teams following Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline. Coincidentally, the two teams also each had new players making their debuts in the game, including some familiar faces. For the Bruins: Taylor Hall, and for the Sabres: Anders Bjork.
The Sabres came into tonight fresh off of a comeback win in their last game, and were 4-4-2 overall in their last 10 games. They showed the same jump to start the game they had showed during that stretch, as Colin Miller scored early to put the Sabres up 1-0 less than five minutes into the game. Dylan Cozens and Anders Bjork, the newest Sabre, recorded the assists. It was Bjork’s first point in a Sabres jersey, coming on his first shift in the blue and gold.
Colin Miller loads up the bazook! 1-0 #LetsGoBuffalo #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/qWLAa0gXOO
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) April 13, 2021
Linus Ullmark, who started in goal for the Sabres, left the game not long after the goal and skated to the bench, with a supposed injury. For him, and for the team, missing more time is perhaps the last thing they need right now. Dustin Tokarski came in to relieve him.
David Krejci would tie the game up for the Bruins about halfway through the period, evening things up at 1-1, the same score that the teams would finish out the period with heading into the first intermission.
The Bruins got the best of the Sabres to start the second period, as they struck first thanks to a Craig Smith goal about five minutes into the middle frame. Smith has been hot against the Sabres this season, scoring three goals and one assist for four points in their meetings so far.
Not much would transpire for the rest of the period, besides a couple of penalties and power plays, although the Sabres were unable to convert on any of them, with the Bruins keeping their 2-1 lead heading into the third and final frame.
The Sabres are used to playing from behind in the third period this season, but this team has been playing with some more heart recently, and were just coming off a come from behind win against the Flyers on Sunday, so a win was not out of the question in this one.
It would take more than half the period to do it, but the Sabres eventually tied things up, as Rasmus Dahlin let a slap shot go from the point that found its way into the back of the Bruins net after deflecting off of a skate. It was now tied up again, at 2.
Rasmus Dahlin with some magic at the blueline! 2-2 @Dan_Dunleavy #LetsGoBuffalo #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/k8dV6FQ3cu
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) April 14, 2021
Both teams would play at a good pace for the rest of regulation, but this one was ultimately headed to overtime. In the five minute overtime period, both teams had good chances. Cozens skated coast to coast and almost got a shot off, and batted in a puck that was called off soon after. Hall, in his first game against his former team, had a shot in close against Tokarski that was saved. This one was headed to a shootout.
In the shootout, the Sabres’ first two skaters failed to score, while both Bruins players scored, ending the game and securing the extra point for the Bruins.
The Sabres come away with a point in this one, and have a chance to get back in the win column against the Washington Capitals on Thursday. They have five games against the Bruins remaining this season, so they will get to see a lot of Hall and Lazar as the season winds down to an end.