Arvidsson scores 2 and the Bruins beat the Sabres 4-2 to even first-round series at 1
BUFFALO, N. Y. (AP) — Morgan Geekie bounced in a shot from beyond center as part of Boston’s three-goal second-period surge and the Bruins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 to even their first-round playoff series at 1 on Tuesday night.
Viktor Arvidsson scored twice and Pavel Zacha also scored. David Pastrnak had two assists to give him five points in the series and tie Bobby Orr for eighth on the Bruins career playoff list with 92 points. Jeremy Swayman stopped 32 shots, and this time Boston managed to not blow a multigoal third-period lead.
Bowen Byram and Peyton Krebs scored 1:14 apart to cut Boston's lead to 4-2 with 4:52 remaining in regulation before being stymied by Swayman, who stopped the final eight shots he faced. The Sabres opened the series with a 4-3 win in which they overcame a 2-0 third-period deficit by scoring four times in the final 7:58 of regulation on Sunday. The series shifts to Boston for Game 3 on Thursday night.
Rather than carry over the momentum from Sunday, the Sabres gradually sagged due to spotty goaltending and an anemic power play. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 15 saves and was pulled after allowing Arvidsson’s second goal 16 seconds into the third period to put Boston up 4-0. Alex Lyon mopped up and finished stopping all seven shots he faced.
Luukkonen looked shaky on three of the four goals allowed. Arvidsson opened the scoring 4:54 into the second period by beating Buffalo defender Mattias Samuelsson to a loose puck. He then drove in and beat Luukkonen through the legs after the goalie was late in getting his stick down.