The Buffalo Sabres entered Thursday playing better hockey with points in their past four games. However, there were some missed opportunities after blowing third-period leads in the last two games and going to overtime. Unfortunately, they would head to overtime once again in this game against Boston, but came up on the losing end with the Bruins winning 4-3.
For the Sabres, they certainly played much better hockey right from the start, but the Bruins capitalized on a few mistakes to take a 2-0 lead into the second period. The two teams traded goals back and forth until Alex Tuch tied it up at three in the third period.
The good news is that the Sabres have now had a point in five straight games, but will be looking to get back into the win column on Saturday against Washington
Buffalo Sabres give up another goal late in the second period to kill their momentum
After an ugly first period where the Buffalo Sabres allowed the Boston Bruins to score two, they were able to fight and make it a one-goal game after Rasmus Dahlin scored on the power play. However, the Bruins were able to take momentum before the end of the period, with Mark Kastelic scoring a goal with about 20 seconds left in the period.
This is now the second game in a row the Sabres have given up a goal late in the period that has swung momentum back to the opposing team. In the game against the Blue Jackets, the Sabres had a 2-1 lead before Columbus scored to tie it up.
The Sabres have to get better at closing out periods and can't let this become a trend for them.
Buffalo Sabres were better in almost all stats except the one that matters
Anyone who watched the game and didn't know the score would think the Buffalo Sabres would win, and it probably wouldn't be close. The shots were 40-22 in favor of Buffalo, with high-danger chances at 19-8, blocked shots at 15-7, and hits at 22-9.
However, the Bruins were more opportunistic with their chances, and while they didn't get many, the chances they did get, they made the most of. There are many things to like about this game, including Buffalo being the more physical team, being aggressive in the offensive zone, and limiting chances on defense but it can still feel deflating not coming away with two points.
Rasmus Dahlin has his best game of the season for the Sabres until overtime
It has been a slow start to the season for Rasmus Dahlin, but he made some big plays in regulation. In the second period, Dahlin was able to get Buffalo going with their first goal of the game, which came on the power play.
Then in the third, when the Sabres were down one, Dahlin was able to find Alex Tuch going up the slot and set him up for a beautiful goal near post.
However, the play fans will remember from this game was a bad turnover in overtime that allowed the Bruins to take a 3-on-1 the other way and beat Alex Lyon for the game-winner. This season, it feels like something is missing from Dahlin's game, but hopefully, he can build off the positive.
Buffalo Sabres find a way to grind out a point against the Bruins but overtime woes continue
The Buffalo Sabres played their third straight overtime game but this one was under different circumstances. In their first two overtime games, they had the lead in the third period before their opponents tied it up.
This time around, the Sabres were down two goals on two separate occasions but were able to tie it up in the third period. However, getting to overtime wasn't easy with Jordan Greenway taking a penalty inside two minutes that gave Boston the man advantage for the remainder of regulation.
Unfortunately, it took only one mistake from the Sabres for the Bruins to get the chance they needed to win the game. The Sabres will now return home for a game against Washington on Saturday.