The Covid-19 outbreak on the Bruins (17-8-5) is still alive as star left wing Brad Marchand was the latest guy to miss a game due to the NHL's Covid protocols. Left wing Jake DeBrusk and center Sean Kuraly are still out since they went on the Covid list last week. No matter if it had to be the Providence Bruins that faced the hapless Sabres (6-23-4) this afternoon at the TD Garden, there was no excuse not to beat a club that entered on a 16-game losing streak. Buffalo played what I'm assuming was one of their better games during this Scarlet Letter of a slump (now the second longest losing streak in league history): they scored first and were up 2-1 after two periods. However, Boston finally woke up in the third period-outshooting the Sabres 15-3-and scored twice to escape with a less-than-satisfying 3-2 "victory." Look, with all the guys that have been in and out of the lineup lately for the B's due to Covid or injuries, I'll never complain about two points but I have to admit that this was about as ugly a win as you'll ever find.
Bruins rookie goaltender Dan Vladar made his second career NHL start and surprise, it didn't go quite as smoothly as his nearly flawless debut against Pittsburgh (22-11-2) a few weeks ago. The Sabres took a 1-0 lead 2:01 into the afternoon matinee as Vladar's pass was picked off by Buffalo center Sam Reinhart who stuffed it in for his 12th goal of the season. It was the rare power play goal that was unassisted. The Sabres led 1-0 after the first period before Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk's screened shot from the point found its way past Buffalo goaltender Linus Ullmark (33 saves, 5-5-2). The BU alum's second goal of the season was assisted by right wing David Pastrnak and center Patrice Bergeron at 11:41. Buffalo regained the lead moments later (at 14:12 to be exact) as right wing Kyle Okposo was in the perfect spot to backhand in a juicy rebound by Vladar. Center Steven Fogarty and defenseman Henri Jokiharju had the helpers on Okposo's second goal of the season.
Left wing Nick Ritchie tied it for the Black and Gold at 5:22 of the third period. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy (game-high 26:32 ice time) made the play happen as he wheeled around the net before passing it to Ritchie in front to knock in his ninth goal of the season. Defenseman Jakub Zboril provided the other assist on Ritchie's ninth goal of the season. With Trent Frederic taking Marchand's place on the top line, Boston's second line picked up the slack as they bagged the game-winning goal. Right wing Craig Smith did the honors as center David Krejci poked the loose puck in front to Smith to fire into the net. Ritchie notched the other assist on Smith's sixth goal of the season at 16:10.
This was also a must-win because the Bruins are right back in action tomorrow night (5:30, NESN) against the Devils (12-16-4) at the Garden. For whatever unexplainable reason, Boston has struggled vs. New Jersey this year (1-2-1) including a sleepy 1-0 shutout loss three weeks ago in a similar spot. Boston couldn't ask much more from its schedule right now as they also face the Devils on Tuesday (7, NESN) at the Garden as well. New Jersey has a shocking 8-5-2 record on the road this season so that's another good talking point for B's head coach Bruce Cassidy to hammer home to his team before these next two tilts. You can thank me later Butch! Goaltender Jaroslav Halak gets the start tomorrow and he could use a win as well.
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