Final: Sabres 5, Bruins 4 (OT)

Without the services of David Krejci, Kevan Miller, Adam McQuaid and Tuukka Rask, the Boston Bruins lost in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres 5-4 Saturday night at TD Garden.

Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak scored two goals apiece to lead Boston's attack.

Miller suffered a hand injury during Thursday's game against the Vancouver Canucks. Krejci participated in the pregame warmup, but was a late scratch with an upper-body injury.

The Bruins' blue line is taking a beating with injuries. Boston is already without Adam McQuaid, who suffered a broken right fibula on Thursday. As a result, Paul Postma and Rob O'Gara will make their seasonal debuts for the Bruins. O'Gara was recalled from the P-Bruins.

Anton Khudobin is starting for the Bruins with Rask sidelined with a concussion.



Observations from third period

Brandon Carlo's split-second hesitation caused him to be whistled for interference with 4:18 remaining in regulation and Boston holding onto a one-goal lead. The Sabres capitalized, but what I don't understand is why Carlo went to the bench when the penalty expired while the Sabres had possession in the offensive zone and eventually scored to tie the game at 4-4.

With the Bruins holding a one-goal lead, Jake DeBrusk just registered a blocked shot in the high slot, which could turn out to be crucial.

Oh, boy. The Sabres cut their deficit to one goal with Benoit Pouliot scoring Buffalo's third goal.

Marchand is outworking Jack Eichel, who is having trouble keeping up with the Bruins winger.

Observations from second period

Marchand has two goals tonight and now has 11 points (five goals and six assists) in the last five games. Overall, he has six goals this season. He nearly recorded the hat trick late in the period, but he missed on a partial breakaway.

Pastrnak has two goals tonight and now has six this season.

Sean Kuraly nearly cost the Bruins midway through the period. He had control of the puck, and with a defender on his back, he failed to gain the red line and iced the puck. On the ensuing faceoff, the Sabres almost scored but Khudobin made a nifty glove save.

Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen delivered bone-crushing checks on Zdeno Chara and Marchand on the same shift during the second period.

Torey Krug's defensive game is improving each season. With his longtime defensive partner sidelined, Krug is playing with Carlo.

Eichel scored his fourth goal of the season for the Sabres. The former BU standout and North Chelmsford native has 11 points in nine games.

Observations from first period

For his first game of the season, Postma showed no rust in the opening period. He was solid defensively, jumped up into the play and showcased his big shot. Since the Jets, his former team, plays an entirely different system, it was interesting to see if Postma could acclimate himself in Boston. It was evident he's had no issues with the X's and O's.

O'Gara, who is paired with Postma, also stepped right in with no issues. He was physical, kept his game simple and moved the puck well on the breakout. The type of game the Bruins need him to play in order to be successful.

Anders Bjork's puck pursuit is improving. If he's able to stick, and there's no indication he won't, on Bergeron's line, that trio has the potential to be dangerous for a long time.

Tim Schaller has been one of the Bruins' most consistent players this season. His versatility has been crucial and it was on display in the opening period. With Krejci sidelined, Schaller was in the middle of Pastrnak and DeBrusk. Schaller and Pastrnak combined for Boston's first goal of the game.

In order to be successful, Kenny Agostino needs to do the proverbial little things. He drew an interference penalty while trying to chip and chase. He's been serviceable in the two games he's played, but I want a bigger sample size of his ability to play the half-wall position on the power play. He has the potential to match Ryan Spooner in that department, which would be key for the Bruins.

Marchand scored the Bruins' second goal and he now has 10 points (four goals and six assists) in the last five games.

Here are the projected line combinations and defensive pairings vs. Sabres.

Forwards 

Marchand-Bergeron-Bjork

DeBrusk-Schaller-Pastrnak

Agostino-Nash-Backes

Beleskey-Kuraly-Vatrano

Defense

Chara-McAvoy

Krug-Carlo

O'Gara-Postma

Goalies

Khudobin

McIntyre