Charlie Coyle Gets Game-Winning Goal In OT As Bruins Come Back To Beat Sabres, 4-3
BOSTON (AP) — Charlie Coyle scored on a wrist shot from the slot 34 seconds into overtime and Boston completed a 4-3 comeback victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday in the Bruins' first game in 16 days.
Playing for the first time since Dec. 16 after six of their games were postponed due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols and a league shutdown, the Bruins erased a 3-1 deficit when Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall scored early in the third period.
Craig Smith also scored for Boston, and Linus Ullmark stopped 21 shots. The Bruins outshot the Sabres 41-24 to snap a two-game losing streak.
Jeff Skinner and Vinnie Hinostroza both returned from COVID-19 protocols and each had a goal for Buffalo. Alex Tuch added a power-play score and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 37 saves for the Sabres, who have lost their last three games. Buffalo has dropped 10 of its last 11 against Boston (1-9-1).
Also returning from protocol and back behind the bench was Sabres coach Don Granato.
Trailing 3-1, Foligno lifted a backhander over Luukkonen for his first goal of the season. He looked toward the ceiling in jubilation after finally scoring.
Former Sabre Hall tied it with a wrister from the slot.
Skinner rushed in for a rebound and slipped it by Ullmark's glove, giving Buffalo a 2-1 lead midway of the second period. Tuch's first goal of the season made it 3-1 in the closing minute of the second, sending the Bruins to the dressing room at the end of the period to a smattering of boos.
Hinostroza's goal had made it 1-0 just 6:33 into the game.
Buffalo kept Boston off the scoreboard despite committing a penalty in the opening minute of the first and second periods until Smith tied it by knocking in a rebound as he was falling to the ice.
FULL SQUAD
Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said his team was rejuvenated with the entire roster finally together after Coyle, the last player in protocol, returned to practice on Friday.
"With COVID taking you out, you're a little more appreciative of what you have," he said before the game. "I think there's a little more excitement with the group being together for the first time since training camp."
LINE SHUFFLE WORKS
Cassidy moved up Smith to the first line and dropped David Pastrnak to the second.
"If it's not working, we'll move some pieces around," Cassidy said in the morning.
NOTES: The Sabres reassigned defenseman Oskari Laaksonen and forwards Brandon Biro, JJ Peterka and Arttu Ruotsalainen to their AHL affiliate. … Boston has 16 games scheduled this month, 10 at home. … The Bruins won the first two meetings between the teams this season by a combined score of 9-2. Their final regular-season matchup is scheduled for April 28 in Boston. … Fourteen years ago, the Sabres hosted Pittsburgh in the inaugural Winter Classic at the home of the Buffalo Bills.
UP NEXT
Sabres: host San Jose on Thursday night.
Bruins: at Detroit on Sunday.
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