When the Boston Bruins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 7-1 on Thursday night, they became the fastest team in NHL history to reach 100 points thanks to David Pastrnak’s goal and two assists just hours after signing a new contract.
Dmitry Orlov added a goal and two assists, Jakub Lauko scored twice, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 26 shots to help the Bruins overcome Brad Marchand’s lower body injury and win their ninth straight game.
In its 61st game, Boston increased its record to 48-8-5 by defeating the Montreal team from 1976 to 1977, which scored 100 points in 62 games despite ties and no extra points for overtime or shootout victories. With 101 points, the Bruins have seven points for winning shootouts and overtime.
For Boston, goals came from Connor Clifton, Patrice Bergeron, and Pavel Zacha.
Coach Jim Montgomery stated, “It’s been really amazing to watch them want to be great.”
Buffalo’s Casey Mittelstadt scored, and 35 shots were blocked by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. However, his unusual tripping penalty resulted in Orlov’s power-play goal, which turned the game around and cost the Sabres their second consecutive defeat.
The Bruins’ exciting day came to an end with the victory. They signed Pastrnak to an eight-year, $90 million extension after acquiring Tyler Bertuzzi from Detroit.
Boston President Cam Neely stated, “Probably took a little longer than we hoped for, but we finally got across the finish line.” We are delighted to keep him for an additional eight years.
In the second period, Pastrnak assisted on the goal that resulted from his odd penalty against Luukkonen. In Boston’s five-goal third period, he scored his 43rd goal into an empty net and recorded his 40th assist.
Montgomery described Bertuzzi as a good “sandpaper” guy, and he will assist in filling in for fellow wingers Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall. Foligno was put on regular injured reserve, and Hall was put on long-term injured reserve.
In a deal with Washington, GM Don Sweeney acquired Orlov and Garnet Hathaway last week. In four games since the trade, Orlov has scored three goals and provided five assists.
However, Boston would suffer from a prolonged Marchand absence. He suffered a significant blow in the second half and did not return until the third.
“We think he’s going to be all right,” Montgomery said.
Last week, the Sabres lost top-line forward Alex Tuch to a lower body injury, so top defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was also injured. He was placed on injured reserve with effect from Friday, making room on the roster for defenseman Riley Stillman, who was acquired from Vancouver on Monday.
In a scoreless first period, Stillman had five hits, making him an instant hit.
As Pastrnak attempted to beat Luukkonen while skating in alone, it remained deadlocked until Pastrnak was penalized for tripping.
Dan Granato, the coach, stated, “It was an unfortunate call.” 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 momentum swing.”
Lauko converted a big rebound 1:26 later to make it 2-0, and Orlov scored on a one-timer on the subsequent 4-on-3.
Buffalo, which was fighting for one of the last Eastern Conference playoff spots, was unable to recover.