Stars of the Game
Charlie McAvoy
No, McAvoy didn’t score, but his individual effort in the third period allowed the Bruins to tie the game. He collected the puck in the Sabres zone, skated around the net, cut through the slot, swung around like he was going to go behind the net again, then his pass to the front hit a skate, and went to Nick Ritchie, who tied the game. As usual, McAvoy led the Bruins with time-on-ice at 26:32.
https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1375886931540774920
Craig Smith
Smith scored his sixth goal of the season with 3:50 left in the game, which turned out to be the game-winner. Alone at the side of the net, the puck found the free-agent signee from the Nashville Predators and he was able to bury the loose puck.
It's 3-2 #NHLBruins with 3:50 to go! Krech gets it over to Smitty who whacks it home from the top of the crease for the late lead.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 27, 2021
Dan Vladar
Yes, he gifted the Sabres their first goal, but after that, he kept his team in the game to give them an opportunity to come back. His busiest period was the second when he stopped 13 of Buffalo’s 14 shots.
Nick Ritchie
Ritchie was the only Bruins player with multiple points, a goal, and an assist, in the game with both points coming in the third period. His goal tied the game, then he won a puck battle at the side of the net to keep the play alive to allow Smith to score the game-winning goal.
Boston returns to the ice Sunday night at 5:30 against the New Jersey Devils at the TD Garden in the third game of a seven-game homestand. It remains to be seen who will be available, but regardless, another two key points are on the line.