Bruins outlast Sabres 4-3 to take series in Game 6

David Krejci (2 goals, assist) led the way for the Bruins offensively as the B's edged the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in Game 6 to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Mark Recchi (goal, assist) and Miroslav Satan (goal, assist) were the other goal scorers for the Bruins.

For the first time in the series, the Bruins struck first. Mark Recchi's shot/pass from the top of the right circle was tipped by David Krejci in the slot and the puck went off the far post and in for the 1-0 lead 13:39 into the game. Recchi's helper was his 75th career playoff assist.

The Bruins increased their lead to 2-0 1:01 into the second period on a goal from Mark Recchi on a 4-on-3 power play. David Krejci's diagonal pass from the left point found Recchi open at the left post after some nice puck movement and cycling by the B's 4-man power play unit of Recchi, Krejci, Dennis Wideman, and Patrice Bergeron.

The Sabres got one back with 13:26 left in the second period after Dennis Wideman's clearing pass was picked off by Adam Mair, creating a 3-on-2 for Buffalo and Patrick Kaleta finished off the play by beating Tuuka Rask on the door step.

David Krejci made it 3-1 for the Bruins with his second goal of the game and third point of the contest at 7:18 of the third period. Miroslav Satan chipped the puck from the left wing boards below the goal line to Milan Lucic. Lucic fed a backhand pass to Krejci at the top of the crease to make in a 2-goal hockey game.

Nathan Gerbe answered back just 22 seconds later after Michael Ryder lost control of the puck and directed it into the slot area, where Gerbe hammered the gift-wrapped puck past Tuukka Rask to make it 3-2 at 7:40 of the third period.

Miroslav Satan regained the two-goal lead with 5:11 left in the game. Dennis Wideman threw a puck towards the goal from the right wing half-wall that deflected off Milan Lucic in front before it found its way to the blade of Satan's stick at left post.

The Sabres made it a game again with 1:13 left in the game on a goal from Thomas Vanek to make it 4-3. Jason Pominville's diagonal pass from the top of the right circle found a wide-open Vanek at the left circle.

The Bruins were able to hold off a late push by the Sabres to take Game 6 and the series.

Notes:

- Tuukka Rask turned in another great effort and stopped 27 shots.

- Blake Wheeler had a golden opportunity to make it a 2-goal game midway through the third period when he had an open hit, but missed wide with a backhander.

- Bold Prediction: Miroslav Satan's goal celebration will be a hit at local nightclubs and bars across the city this weekend.

- I had the Sabres in 7. Man, does it feel good to be wrong!

- This was a fun playoff series that had everything you look for in playoff hockey: great goaltending on both sides, physical play, two passionate fanbases, intensity, fights, controversy, trash talk between coaches, a double OT thriller, and most importantly an upset.

- Bruins won 62% of the face-offs tonight.

- Johnny Boychuk logged a game-high 17:49 of ice time.

- Matt Kalman of the Bruins Blog and ESPN Boston is reporting that it appears that Marc Savard has been medically cleared to return. There has been no official word yet on Savard's return or medical clearance.

- The Bruins will play either the Pittsburgh Penguins or Philadelphia Flyers in the next round depending on what happens in the Washington-Montreal series. If the Caps win, the Bruins will play Pittsburgh. If the Habs win, the B's will play the Flyers. If Montreal wins, the 6, 7, and 8 seeds in the East will have advanced.