By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
The Boston Bruins had their backs against the wall heading into Buffalo with the Sabres leading this playoff series 3-1. Especially after a debacle of a loss in front of their home crowd in game 4, the Bruins’ best players needed to step up for this crucial playoff bout.
And for the first time in the series, Boston and Buffalo would have to duke it out in overtime. Two players in particular, David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm, needed to turn their series around.
Both of these skaters are crucial to the Bruins’ success. And Boston needed better, more consistent play from both of them to live to fight another game.
In overtime, Lindholm delivered a perfect feed to Pastrnak from Boston’s own end. The dynamic winger had flown the zone, hoping for an accurate stretch pass.
The dish was perfect from Lindholm, as Pastrnak was able to stay onside by mere inches and corral the puck smoothly on his stick. The feed allowed the talented forward to zoom into the Sabres’ zone on a partial breakaway, as Mattias Samuelsson was in hot pursuit.
Once he controlled the puck, Pastrnak made an elite stick-handling maneuver. As he slammed on the brakes, Pastrnak got Alex Lyon to bite on a possible backhand attempt. With the right side of the cage now open, he tucked the puck just past the sprawling left skate blade of Buffalo’s goaltender and into the back of the net.
Pastrnak enthusiastically leaped into the boards as the celebration began. He even got into it with the Sabres faithful. The play was quite similar to Pastrnak’s most famous moment as a Bruin.
In game 7 of the 2024 first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston would need an overtime score to move on in the playoffs. In the extra session, Lindholm was again creative with springing the Bruins’ most talented offensive weapon.
After gaining the red line, Lindholm fired the puck into Toronto’s zone. And as I am sure all Bruins fans remember, the puck took a lively bounce off the boards. Pastrnak snuck behind the Leafs’ defense, and potted a backhand goal to send TD Garden into a state of delirium.
It is quite interesting that both of the Bruins’ last two overtime playoff goals came courtesy of a Lindholm stretch pass and a Pastrnak breakaway finish. That shows how important these two skaters are for Boston.
With the Bruins heading into another must-win, both Lindholm and Pastrnak will need to be at their best against Buffalo. The Sabres will certainly come out and play with intensity, as they do not want to have this series pushed to a game 7.
Boston’s play was disappointing in front of their home fans in games 3 and 4 of this series. They will need to dig deep and be focused for all 60 minutes to earn the right to battle Buffalo in a winner-take-all scenario.
For game six of this series, Boston will host Buffalo this evening. If you want to see the Black and Gold in person at TD Garden or on the road during the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, consider using this official StubHub Ticket-affiliated link here for the most competitive concert and sporting event tickets in the North American region.
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