BOSTON – The Sabers didn’t look like a team that lost their previous 12 games. They were also playing the second night of a back-to-back and were without their best player in Rasmus Dahlin. The Boston BruinsMeanwhile, he looked lifeless at times, putting just 19 shots on net, but still managed a 3-1 win on Saturday night.
Morgan Geekie was the hero for Boston, scoring the game-winner with 1:45 left. That came after the forward appeared to give the Bruins the lead early in the third period, but the Sabers challenged the offsides and were successful.
The Bruins now prepare for the Washington Capitals on Monday night at the TD Garden, their final game before the Christmas break. The Sabers have now lost 13 in a row.
Charlie Coyle opened the scoring for the Bruins at 8:12 of the first period just seconds after his penalty expired. Coyle, playing as the front-line right winger, broke out of the box after Pavel Zacha forced a turnover and Nikita Zadorov got the puck in the perfect spot. Coyle took the puck to the net and didn’t score at first, but kept chipping away at it as it went down and past James Reimer.
Each team had other scoring opportunities, but Boston took a 1-0 lead into the break.
The second was all Sabres. Boston struggled to get out of their own zone and failed to capitalize on X power plays in the period. David Pastrnak had two turnovers in the offensive zone on the Bruins’ second power play and couldn’t get anything going.
The Sabers tied the game at 1-1 when JJ Peterka scored the tying run on a power play that was gifted to Buffalo. Oliver Wahlstrom was whistled for tripping Peyton Krebs, but replay showed the forward simply outmuscled his opponent. Peterka from the slot was able to tie things up with 1:37 left and help the Sabers tie going into the second intermission.
Geekie beat Reimer with a goal that wouldn’t be called again this time to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Brad Marchand added the empty netter to seal the 3-1 win.
Korpisalo, who made his first start since December 12 against the Seattle Krakenmade 19 saves in the win.
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