The Buffalo Sabres secured a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, thanks to a game-winning goal by Alex Tuch with just 11 seconds left on the clock. The loss extends the Bruins’ recent struggles, as they have now dropped six of their last eight games.
Tuch’s decisive goal came on a power play, when a shot from Owen Power in the left circle deflected off Bruins defenseman Henri Jokiharju and Tuch before slipping past goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. In addition to Tuch’s heroics, Peyton Krebs also scored for the Sabres, while Jack Quinn contributed two assists. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 17 crucial saves to secure the win for Buffalo, which has now won three of its last four games.
For the Bruins, Morgan Geekie scored a goal and added an assist, while Pavel Zacha also found the back of the net. Despite 27 saves from Korpisalo, the Bruins couldn’t avoid defeat. The loss leaves Boston three points behind the New York Rangers in the race for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Bruins’ mentality amid adversity
Despite the frustration of another loss, Bruins coach Joe Sacco emphasized the team’s focus and energy. “I thought we had good energy tonight,” Sacco said, per NHL.com. “On the bench, in the room before the game, I thought that the guys were focused. I don’t think [low morale] has been an issue at all. If anything, sometimes we’re maybe trying to do too much at times.”
Sacco also stressed the importance of sticking to the team’s process and standards, regardless of their position in the standings. “The biggest thing for us to focus on is just there’s a process that we try to follow each game, and there’s a standard that we’re trying to uphold regardless of where we’re at.”
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What’s next for the Bruins and Sabres?
The loss deepens the Bruins’ recent slump, but Sacco’s comments highlight the team’s determination to stay focused and fight for a playoff spot. Their ability to maintain morale and execute their game plan will be critical in the remaining regular-season games.
On the other hand, the Sabres’ victory provides a significant morale boost and demonstrates their ability to compete against top teams in the NHL. With momentum on their side, Buffalo will look to continue climbing the standings as they push for a postseason berth.
