BOSTON (AP) — Alex Tuch scored a power-play goal with 10.7 seconds left in overtime, and the Buffalo Sabres snapped an eight-game road losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Monday night.
Peyton Krebs scored another power-play goal, and Owen Power also had one for Buffalo. With this win, the Sabres broke their road losing streak, which had persisted since their last victory on January 21 when they played against the Vancouver Canucks. The victory was especially significant as it came against the Bruins, who have struggled recently.
Morgan Geekie scored for the Bruins and also provided the setup for Pavel Zacha's goal. This marked the third consecutive loss for Boston, following their strong start to the week with two wins. Following major roster changes, including the departure of captain Brad Marchand and two other key players, the Bruins are finding themselves at a crossroad.
Krebs became the victim of bad luck when, during play, he took a puck to the face from the bench after it ricocheted off during the face-off.
The game began with Owen Power assisting Tuch's game-winner late on. This came after Geekie, with his skillful play, maneuvered around defenseman Bowen Byram to feed Zacha, who then slipped the puck past Sabres' goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 13 minutes after the game's start.
Interestingly, just over two minutes later, Geekie capitalized on his own momentum with a partial breakaway, rounding Luukkonen to notch his 23rd goal of the season, putting the Bruins firmly on the board.
Despite the Bruins' efforts, they couldn’t maintain their lead. The game began shifting as Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie formed significant plays on the ice, giving the Bruins some breathing room even as they battled injuries and loss of form following the trades.
A turning point was undoubtedly when Marat Khusnutdinov was penalized for tripping just 2:51 minutes before overtime finished. This ill-timed penalty paved the way for Buffalo, allowing them to swing momentum back to their side just as overtime heated up.
Power had another solid game, adding two assists to his performance stats, playing critically during key moments. Buffalo dominated the overtime with six shots compared to Boston's two, providing clear evidence of their determination to win.
After the final whistle, Tuch expressed gratitude, stating, “Getting this win feels amazing. We’ve been fighting hard all season, and it’s rewarding to finally have our efforts pay off on the road.” His relief mirrored the sentiments of the entire Sabres team, who hadn’t won on the road since mid-January.
The Sabres' victory sets them up for the next matchup scheduled against Utah on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The Bruins, on the other hand, face off against Vegas on the same night, hoping to regroup and find their form once again.
It seems the Bruins might need to reassess their strategy as they navigate these changes, especially considering the void left by key players. The road won’t be easy, but the team is determined to steer the ship back on course.
This game highlighted the fine line between triumph and defeat, exemplifying how quickly fortunes can change on the ice. With playoffs fast approaching, every game counts more now than ever, leaving both teams with much to prove going forward.
Up next, Buffalo is tasked with maintaining their new-found momentum, hoping to build on their success against their next competitor. Buffalo’s coach noted, “We need to come out ready to play. Momentum like this can make all the difference as the season draws to a close.”
Meanwhile, Boston needs to regroup quickly and bring their A-game to the upcoming clash with Vegas, as they cannot afford another setback after so many losses.
The recent changes and updates permit exciting hockey and unpredictability as teams vie for their position. The outcome of games like these will undoubtedly influence playoff positioning and team psyche as the season progresses.
Through thick and thin, the challenge remains constant: winning the next match, and with anticipated matchups waiting, fans should expect more thrilling ice hockey action.
