The Boston Bruins secured a significant 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on December 21, showcasing their improvement as they climbed to third place in the Atlantic Division with an 18-13-4 record. Morgan Geekie emerged as the hero of the night, scoring the game-winning goal with just 1:45 remaining, demonstrating the kind of comeback the team has been striving for after early-season challenges.
Geekie’s decisive goal highlighted his growing prowess on the ice, as he blasted a one-timer past Sabres goalie James Reimer. This marked Geekie's continued resurgence, now amassing seven points over the last eight games. After struggling at the beginning of the season, his recent performances are significantly benefiting the Bruins.
“I think our line has more chemistry now,” Geekie explained. “We’re not passing up shots and really focusing on getting pucks to the net.” Having found his rhythm on the first line with David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha, Geekie is making his mark and proving instrumental to the team's recent successes.
Following their Western road trip where the Bruins finished 2-2-1, they returned home eager to face the struggling Sabres, who were mired in a 12-game losing streak. Despite the pressure, the Bruins managed to showcase their resilience, even after having seen previously inconsistent performances throughout the season.
Interim coach Joe Sacco highlighted the need for improvement, stating, "We weren’t at our best tonight, and Buffalo played very well. They deserve credit. But we stuck with it.” This blend of discipline and scrappy play has been the defining aspect of the Bruins during this successful run, winning seven of their last ten games.
Another standout during the game was goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who established himself as the Bruins’ best player on the ice. He finished with 19 saves and showcased his skills, especially during key moments of the match, such as stopping penalties and other aggressive plays by Buffalo. His performance solidified the trust and confidence the Bruins have begun to build defensively.
Offensive challenges, nonetheless, still persist for Boston, as highlighted by their struggles on special teams. With the second-worst power play rate, they had several ineffective opportunities against the Sabres prior to finally converting on one late in the game.
Defenseman Oliver Wahlstrom made his debut for the Bruins after being picked from waivers, but his performance was mixed; he drew just one penalty and was also cited for another, which led to the Sabres tying the game at one. Sacco indicated the expectations for Wahlstrom going forward: “He needs to adjust and will get more opportunities as he settles down.”
While Geekie and Korpisalo shined, it was also the leadership of captain Brad Marchand making waves. Marchand, recently revitalized after dealing with injuries and surgeries, scored an empty-net goal to secure the win and extend his point streak to nine games. Marchand now holds 14 goals and 27 points this season—a remarkable turnaround after his slow start.
Reflecting on his revitalized form, Marchand attributed the surge to team dynamics and luck shifting their way: “I just think our team is getting some bounces now,” he said. Under Sacco’s guidance, the team secured ten wins in the past fifteen games, boasting Marchand as the catalyst. His competitive spirit has reinvigorated the Bruins as they move forward. “Every player offensively feels more confident when scoring... it helps throughout the game,” he added.
Now facing four games left before the turn of the year, including matches against the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets, the Bruins are intent on building on their recent success. With momentum on their side, they hope to leave behind the early struggles of 2024 and focus on making the playoffs.
“As guys start scoring, they gain confidence, and it shows,” Marchand said, echoing the sense of optimism circulating the locker room. While acknowledging the challenges still faced, the team is moving closer to achieving its goal of capturing the Stanley Cup.
With plenty of time and room for improvement, the Bruins remain optimistic, fueled by player performances and the strength of their captain. Their focus now shifts to maintaining this push and solidifying their playoff positioning as they prepare for the upcoming heavy schedule.
