After winning back-to-back road games, the Buffalo Sabres were returning to KeyBank Center with a chance to clinch the series. Unfortunately, they would come up short in overtime, and the series is extended for at least one more game as the Bruins win 2-1 in overtime.
The Sabres jumped out to an early lead with a power play goal by Rasmus Dahlin, and it was their first power play goal since March 31st. However, the Sabres would struggle to generate much in terms of scoring chances from that point, as it would be their only goal in the game.
Meanwhile, the Bruins tied it up in the second with a goal by Elias Lundstrom, and after a scoreless third period, it would go to overtime. David Pasternak would score the deciding goal in overtime for the win and cut the Sabres series lead to 3-2.
These are some of the takeaways from the Sabres' Game 5 loss to the Boston Bruins.
Buffalo Sabres end their power play drought with an early goal in Game 5
One of the biggest storylines for the Buffalo Sabres for the month of April was their power play drought. They entered Game 5 without a power play goal and, win or lose, had one more chance to get a power play goal in the calendar month.
The Sabres were able to do just that on their first power play opportunity on Tuesday night. The play began with Tage Thompson bringing the puck into the zone before passing it off to Jason Zucker, who was below the goal but able to pass it back across the crease to Dahlin, who slammed it home.
It was a great play that the Buffalo Sabres needed early in this game, and Rasmus Dahlin's first career playoff goal couldn't have come at a better time.
Buffalo Sabres careless with the puck resulting in a series-high giveaways
One of the reasons the game was as close as it was in Game 5 was due in large part to the Buffalo Sabres being careless with the puck. It helped the Bruins generate chances or extend time in the offensive zone for them.
In Game 5, the Sabres had 19 giveaways through regulation, which was a series high after averaging only 12.75 giveaways per game through the first four. Even on the Bruins' only goal in regulation, it was because of an awful turnover by Jason Zucker right in front of the net.
2️⃣8️⃣ TIES IT UP pic.twitter.com/xBMTgSTZfm
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 29, 2026
It was the great equalizer in this game and a big reason that it ultimately went to overtime.
Buffalo Sabres struggle to generate 5v5 chances
While the giveaways helped keep the Bruins in this game, it also had an impact on the Sabres as they couldn't generate the chances they had recently. They were slow to get out of their zone and couldn't get going on the rush.
In Game 3 and Game 4, the Sabres had 49 scoring chances compared to the Bruins with 25, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Early on, the Sabres were not generating those scoring chances with only 11 through the first two periods before generating 12 scoring chances in the third period. If they can clean up the giveaways, they have no problem generating those 5v5 chances.
Alex Lyon kept the Buffalo Sabres in this game against the Bruins
In Game 5, Boston Bruins' goaltender Jeremy Swayman was looking to bounce back after his disastrous performance in the prior game. Swayman certainly did that, but it was Alex Lyon who probably had the better performance when comparing the two goalies.
Lyon, who was making his third straight start in this series, was once again locked in and stopped 27 of 29 shots he faced. Over his three starts in this series, he has now allowed only four goals and has a combined save percentage of .949.
While Lyon didn't get the win, he has continued to earn the starting spot for the Buffalo Sabres and should be the starter in Game 6.
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