BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Sabres 2 - Kuraly lifts Bruins to OT win, key 2 points taken at BSJ Headquarters (Bruins)

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BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Sabres 2 - Kuraly lifts Bruins to OT win, key 2 points

By Conor Ryan

Dec 29, 2018 • 10:28 pm

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Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 3-2 overtime win over the Sabres in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

B’s post statement win: By the time the clock reached zeroes in regulation, you’d think the Bruins would just be happy with the one point. But with Sean Kuraly’s game-winning tally at 3:44 in the extra stanza, the B’s managed to come away with what might be the team’s statement win so far this year. Trailing for the entire game before Kuraly’s strike and with the Islanders hovering right behind the Bruins in the playoff race, things seemed dire for Boston — who looked dead in the water during the second period and on track for a third consecutive loss.

But with Jake DeBrusk’s game-tying goal with 2:29 to go in the third period and Kuraly’s game-winner, Boston suddenly has plenty of momentum back on its side going into Tuesday’s Winter Classic matchup. Set to slip out of the playoff picture in the closing minutes of the third, the Bruins are suddenly now just two points out of third place in the Atlantic.

Lineup carousel continues: It’s pretty much a lost cause to sort out the combinations that Bruce Cassidy rolled out in an effort to spark a largely listless Bruins club on Saturday. Sure, the B’s were without Brad Marchand and David Backes up front for the matchup, but just about every forward trio was turned on its head as the minutes ticked off the clock.

A top line featuring Danton Heinen, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak was quickly disassembled — with both Ryan Donato and Kuraly earning reps alongside No. 37 and No. 88.

While he’s performed well given the added responsibilities dropped on him, Joakim Nordstrom did not last long on the second line — with Cassidy eventually slotting in Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson on the right wing, even though the young forward has only played at the pivot in his pro career.

Even though Boston managed to generate a much-needed goal in the third period — it did come from some of the usual suspects on the B’s power play. With Backes out for two more games and Marchand’s current status still up in the air, look for more shuffling.

THREE UP

Noel Acciari: The Rhode Island native picked a good time to tally his first goal of the season, lighting the lamp at 9:30 in the first period. It wasn’t a flashy play — with Acciari failing to land a shot on net after an ill-advised pass from the Sabres in front of their net. While Acciari’s shot was off target, the puck did manage to deflect off of Rasmus Ristolainen and past Buffalo netminder Carter Hutton to tie things up. Hey, a goal is a goal, right?




Jake DeBrusk:
In just his second game back from a concussion that sidelined him for over three weeks, DeBrusk made his presence felt at a crucial time, tipping a shot from
Torey Krug
past Hutton with 2:29 left in regulation to force overtime.




Sean Kuraly:
He may not be Boston’s go-to option in OT, but the fourth liner once again stepped up in crunch time. After his initial shot was turned aside by Hutton, the speedy skater stayed with the play, tipping the rebound home for his third goal of the year. Great response by Kuraly to lift his team during a stretch where points have come at a premium.


THREE DOWN


Danton Heinen:
He might have opened the game on Boston’s top line with Bergeron and Pastrnak, but Heinen quickly found himself on the bench for extended stretches in Saturday’s matchup. By the end of the night, Heinen found himself shuffled throughout Boston’s bottom six — and only logging 11 shifts and 8:05 of ice time. Not great.


Joakim Nordstrom:
Boston’s latest option as a top-six winger had a rough go of it to open the game. Just over four minutes into regulation, Nordstrom failed to provide much of a backcheck during a rush organized by
Sam Reinhart
. While
Tuukka Rask
was able to turn aside
Jeff Skinner’s
attempt,
Marco Scandella
was able to bury the second chance past a sprawled out Rask. 
With Nordstrom failing to provide much in terms of back pressure, Scandella was able to beat out every Bruins forward to the loose puck. Not a good look.


Power play miscues:
While the Bruins did manage to cash in on the man advantage late in the third period, Boston’s power play still relinquished its eighth shorthanded goal of the season in the second, with
Johan Larsson's 
tally standing as the likely game-winner for most of the contest. For context, Boston only relinquished 10 shorthanded goals all of last year.


PLAY OF THE GAME




PARTING THOUGHT




LOOKING AHEAD


The Bruins will now head down to South Bend to prep for the 2019 Winter Classic, which will be held on Tuesday at Notre Dame Stadium. Puck drop for the matchup against the Blackhawks is set for 1 p.m. While both
Charlie McAvoy
and Marchand did not play in Saturday’s matchup,
Bruce Cassidy
did note that both skaters have a chance to return for the outdoor showcase.

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