By: Michael Rudd | Follow me on Twitter @Bosmike808.
The Bruins entered the day looking to start their third three-game winning streak of the season. Buffalo, on the other hand, began the day on a four-game losing streak after their hot start. This game also marks the Boston Bruins’ debut for goalie Keith Kinkaid. With Jeremy Swayman still out because of an injury, the 33-year-old Kinkaid was called into action for the first half of this weekend’s back-to-back.
First Period
The first period got off to a very slow start, with the Sabres clogging the neutral zone. Just under five minutes in, the Bruins would go on the game’s first power play. Unfortunately, that neutral zone defense would strike again shorthanded. Tage Thompson would steal the puck from David Pastrnak and, using his size and, reach beat first David Krejci on the back check, then Keith Kinkaid in net. A tough break for the journeyman netminder in his season debut.
Halfway through the period Buffalo had a 7-2 shots advantage. The Bruins’ possession struggles continued to be the main story of the period. With just over five minutes left, Kinkaid made a big stop on Dylan Cozens, staying tight to the post. The Bruins’ third line would have the best scoring chance with about three minutes left in the period. That would continue with Charlie Coyle ringing the crossbar shorthanded a few minutes later. The first would come to a close with Buffalo up a man and up on the scoreboard 1-0.
Second Period
The second period started with the Bruins killing the remaining penalty time. David Pastrnak and Jake Debrusk would swap lines reuniting the perfection line. Seven minutes into the period and the shots were 6-3 Buffalo, and two of the Bruins’ three shots were from Brad Marchand. A phantom call on Charlie McAvoy would lead to consecutive Sabres’ powerplays as McAvoy would take a tripping call after exiting the box for the first call. Halfway through the second powerplay, Buffalo would ring the post but, that would be all.
With five minutes to go, Kinkaid would come up huge, making several in tight stops with bodies falling all around him. A minute later, Craig Anderson would make his save of the game robbing Taylor Hall on the doorstep. With two and a half minutes left, the Bruins would go on their second powerplay of the game. About halfway through, Patrice Bergeron would deposit a rebound into the back of the net, tying the game at one. The second period would come to a close, tied 1-1 with, Boston finally gaining offensive momentum.
Third Period
The Bruins got off to a fast start in the third, by far their best period of the game. Just over a minute in and McAvoy is robbed on a one-timer by Anderson. A few minutes later, the Bruins would keep up the pressure ringing a shot off the post. Kinkaid would keep the game tied just moments later, making multiple sprawling saves all over the crease.
The Bruins’ third line would come up huge, getting some much-needed offensive zone time to calm things down. Eight minutes into the period, and the Bruins actually held a shot advantage 8-5 over the Sabres. With just under eight minutes to go, Jakub Zboril would wire home a shot for his first career NHL goal.
Kinkaid would be called on to defend that lead stonewalling Victor Olofsson, who was in alone after a turnover. With just under two minutes to play, the Bruins would get the insurance goal from Bergeron, his second of the game.
Buffalo would actually ice the game challenging the goal for a high stick. The failed challenge left the Sabres short-handed for the rest of the game, which would end 3-1 Boston. Tonight’s first star goes to Keith Kinkaid, who was stellar, making 30 saves on 31 shots. The second star goes to Bergeron, who scored two goals on the night. Finally, the third star goes to Craig Anderson, who stopped 27 of 30 shots, but he was by far Buffalo’s best player. The Bruins are back at it again tomorrow against Vancouver, so until next time, stay safe out there and let’s go, Bruins.
Leave a Reply