Bruins Seek Back-to-Back Wins Against Sabres After Ending Skid

Buffalo, New York — The Boston Bruins will look to build on their recent success as they face the Buffalo Sabres in a crucial matchup on Sunday at 6 p.m. The Bruins, who ended a 10-game skid with a 6-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, are fresh off a performance that featured a hat trick from David Pastrnak.

This win represents Boston’s first victory since March 11 and underscores Pastrnak’s stellar season. He has notched his fifth career 40-goal season and is only the fifth player in Bruins history to achieve 90 points in three consecutive seasons. Despite their recent win, the Bruins have been eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2016.

In contrast, the Sabres are riding a wave of momentum, securing seven victories in their last ten games. Currently, they hold a record of 33-36-6, meanwhile, the Bruins sit at 31-37-9. Tonight’s matchup will take place at KeyBank Center, and the game will be broadcast on NESN and WBZ-FM 98.5.

Statistically, the Bruins have struggled throughout the season, with a goals-per-game average of just 2.61, placing them 29th in the NHL. Conversely, the Sabres have been more productive offensively, averaging 3.00 goals per game. Their scoring prowess will present a challenge for the Bruins.

During the recent victory, Pastrnak, along with linemates Morgan Geekie and Elias Lindholm, broke the team’s 11-game streak of scoring three or fewer goals in a match. Boston’s interim coach Joe Sacco expressed hope that the win could serve as a morale boost as they head into the final stretch of the season. “With the stretch that we’ve been on here lately, it’s nice to have the guys feel good about themselves again,” Sacco said. “There’s a lot of positive things that we can talk about when you win a hockey game. I think it’s important for everybody.”

A key factor in the upcoming game will be the performance of goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who celebrated his 100th NHL win against the Hurricanes. Facing the Sabres, Swayman will need to maintain focus, especially considering Buffalo’s recent offensive productivity.

The Sabres are expected to be competitive, especially with Tage Thompson being among the high scorers, having also reached the 40-goal mark recently in a shootout win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Thompson both leads and exemplifies the Sabres’ offensive resilience, marking a significant achievement for the team.

Looking ahead, the stakes are sky high as both teams vie for morale-boosting wins in the final weeks of the season. Puck drop for this exciting encounter is set for 6 p.m., and fans will be eager to see if the Bruins can build on their recent success or if the Sabres will continue their winning ways.