Associated Press3 minute read
BOSTON — David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists just hours after signing a new contract, and the Boston Bruins became the fastest team in NHL history to reach 100 points by defeating the Boston Sabers. Buffalo 7-1 Thursday night.
Jakub Lauko scored twice, Dmitry Orlov added a goal and two assists, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 26 shots as the Bruins overcame the loss of Brad Marchand to a lower-body injury to win their ninth straight.
Boston improved to 48-8-5 in its 61st game, beating the 1976-77 Montreal team that reached 100 points in 62 games while there were regulation ties and no extra points for wins in overtime or in a shootout. The Bruins have seven points for overtime and shootout wins in their 101 points.
Pavel Zacha, Patrice Bergeron and Connor Clifton added goals for Boston.
“It’s really amazing to see them wanting to be great,” coach Jim Montgomery said.
Casey Mittelstadt scored for Buffalo and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 35 shots. But his unusual tripping penalty led to Orlov’s power-play goal and turned the tables as the Sabers lost their second straight.
The win capped off an eventful day for the Bruins. They acquired Tyler Bertuzzi from Detroit and signed Pastrnak to an eight-year, $90 million extension.
“It probably took a little longer than expected, but we finally crossed the finish line,” Boston chairman Cam Neely said. “We are delighted to have him for another eight years.”
Pastrnak fired the odd penalty against Luukkonen in the second half and then assisted on the ensuing goal. He scored his 43rd empty-net goal in Boston’s five-goal third period which also earned him his 40th assist.
Bertuzzi, whom Montgomery called a “sandpaper” good guy, will help fill the roles of fellow wingers Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno. Hall was placed on long-term injured reserve and regular Foligno IR.
Last week, general manager Don Sweeney picked up Orlov and Garnet Hathaway as part of a deal with Washington. Orlov has three goals and five assists in four games since the trade.
A long absence from Marchand, however, would hurt Boston. He took a big hit in the second period and didn’t come back in the third.
“We think he’ll be fine,” Montgomery said.
The Sabres, who lost first-line forward Alex Tuch (lower body) last week, have again played without top defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. He was placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Friday, opening up a spot for defenseman Riley Stillman, acquired Monday from Vancouver.
Stillman made an immediate impression, recording five hits in a scoreless first period.
And he remained deadlocked until Luukkonen was called out for tripping as Pastrnak tried to beat him skating alone.
“It was an unfortunate decision,” coach Dan Granato said. “Obviously the referees thought it was a trip. Luukky came out and played the puck, but that’s what happens. You’re going to have challenges like that, but obviously it was a boost.
Orlov scored on a point shot in the 4-on-3 that followed, and Lauko hit a big rebound 1:26 later to make it 2-0.
Buffalo, in a race for one of the last Eastern Conference playoff spots, could not recover.