Bruins Stumble Against Sabres in Disappointing Road Loss
Following back-to-back victories over playoff contenders, the Boston Bruins faltered in a lackluster performance Tuesday night, falling 7-2 to the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Interim head coach Joe Sacco delivered a blunt assessment of his team’s struggles, particularly criticizing their inability to rebound from errors.
“Our game management was the biggest issue tonight,” Sacco stated. “Mistakes happen, but how you respond matters. Whether it was turnovers, defensive breakdowns, or sloppy line changes, we didn’t recover properly. After their goals, we needed a stronger push—better focus on puck battles and defensive structure—and we didn’t deliver.”
The Bruins initially took the lead with rookie Mason Lohrei’s first-period goal, but Buffalo’s Tage Thompson answered just 54 seconds later, sparking a dominant stretch for the Sabres. By the third period, Buffalo had surged to a 4-1 advantage, fueled by Thompson and JJ Peterka, who each netted hat tricks—the first time two Sabres players achieved the feat since 2008. For Boston, it marked the first time allowing multiple hat tricks in a game since 2003.
Swayman Shoulders Responsibility Amid Defensive Woes
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who has been in net for four of Boston’s six games surrendering six or more goals this season, took accountability for the loss despite a depleted defense. “I didn’t give the team a chance to win. There were saves I needed to make to keep us in it,” he said. “We’ll learn from this and bounce back.”
Pastrnak’s Streak Continues Amid Team Struggles
David Pastrnak extended his point streak to eight games with an assist on Brad Marchand’s power-play goal in the third period. The star winger has amassed 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) during the streak, though his efforts weren’t enough to spark a comeback.
Standings and Road Ahead
The loss dropped Boston to 25-21-6 overall, with a concerning 9-14-3 road record. They now hold a precarious one-point lead over Tampa Bay and Columbus for the final Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. The Bruins return home for a critical three-game homestand starting Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, aiming to recalibrate before a tight playoff race intensifies.
Sacco emphasized the need for urgency: “Respecting your opponent means matching their effort. Buffalo’s skill was evident tonight, and we didn’t meet that challenge. We have to be sharper in every facet—especially when the stakes rise.”
Puck drop against Winnipeg is set for 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden, with pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m. on NESN.
