(SportsNetwork.com) – The Boston Bruins have struggled in the first month of
the season, but the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners should have a good
chance at picking up win No. 3 when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
After leading the NHL in points last season, the Bruins have started 2-4-0 on
the season and the usually stingy defensive club is coming off Thursday’s 6-4
defeat in Montreal.
Boston lost in seven games to the Canadiens in the second round of last
spring’s playoffs, and the Habs picked up where they left off against the
Bruins. Max Pacioretty finished with a goal and two assists to help the
Canadiens down the Bruins and pick up a victory in their home opener.
Zdeno Chara, Loui Eriksson, Carl Soderberg and Simon Gagne all lit the lamp
for Boston, but Tuukka Rask allowed five goals on 23 shots.
“There were bad bounces, bad breaks in our zone that can’t happen,” said Rask.
“It’s early in the season so we will address those moves in our zone.”
The Bruins are completing a three-game road trip tonight and are 1-2-0 as the
guest on the young season. Boston only won one of three games in Buffalo last
season, posting a 1-1-1 record at First Niagara Center in 2013-14.
The B’s and Sabres have each won seven times over the past 14 encounters in
this series.
Buffalo, meanwhile, fell to 1-4-0 on the season Friday as it followed up
Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout win at Carolina with a 1-0 home loss to Florida. Sean
Bergenheim scored the only goal of Friday’s game early in the second period
and Roberto Luongo made 26 saves for the shutout victory. .
Jhonas Enroth stopped 34 shots for the Sabres, who failed to score despite
getting five chances on the power play. Buffalo has yet to convert on 15
opportunities with the man advantage this season.
“We were able to create some chances tonight, but we just couldn’t get
anything through,” said Buffalo forward Chris Stewart. “We feel good with what
we’re doing, and if we work hard we’ll get things together.”
Saturday’s contest ends a brief two-game stay at First Niagara Center. Next up
for Buffalo is a four-game road trip which begins with three tilts in
California before ending in Toronto on Oct. 28.
