Stanley Cup of Chowder - Complete Coverage: Bruins and Sabres, Game 3 of non-playoff seriesDavid Pastrnak is legend.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11233/stanley-fave.jpg2021-04-23T22:05:45-04:00http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/rss/stream/221626742021-04-23T22:05:45-04:002021-04-23T22:05:45-04:00RECAP: Bruins fall REAL hard to Sabres, despite third-period burst to nearly complete comeback
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<figcaption>Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>What started as a trickle of mistakes leading into the second period turned into an embarrassing third.</p> <p id="jVKnFy"><strong>First Period</strong></p>
<p id="jrT1tX">We learned as the lineups were released just before puck drop that Patrice Bergeron would not be suiting up. After the last two games, it still felt like there was some room to relax here. Two-thirds of the Perfection Line was still going to be on the ice, and Charlie Coyle received the chance to pad his stats by passing to goal-scoring machines.</p>
<p id="hK54CW">It didn’t take long for Boston to score - though, it wasn’t said -Rfection line... rather, Taylor Hall carried the puck deep on the left wing and gave Steve Kampfer a short pass at the top of the left circle. Poor Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the victim of Kampfer’s low-glove shot as he glided (glode?) to the hash marks, just over two minutes into the game.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taylor Hall with a clean zone entry — and he sets up a goal for Steven Kampfer. <br><br>1-0 Bruins. <a href="https://t.co/6HEtVP4vtM">pic.twitter.com/6HEtVP4vtM</a></p>— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1385734825122926600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2021</a>
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<p id="bW1Lfe">Boston continued to dance around Buffalo... Brad Marchand and David Krejci both had sequences where they didn’t even need to skate, they just stickhandled the puck out of harm’s way. Krejci’s was even more impressive as, again, though it didn’t appear he was striding much - he GAINED THE ZONE. A pass was then tipped wide and Boston came real close to scoring the second goal just as quickly as the first.</p>
<p id="e8Q9Oc">Buffalo would get a power play chance after Matt Grzelcyk tripped Arttu Ruotsalainen, and they managed to get a low-circle shot through Tuukka Rask off the stick of Sam Reinhart.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reinhart rips a one-timer on the power play, and the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sabres?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sabres</a> tie it at 1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoBuffalo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoBuffalo</a> <a href="https://t.co/nz1Hm5jcpD">pic.twitter.com/nz1Hm5jcpD</a></p>— The Royal Report (@TheRoyalReport_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRoyalReport_/status/1385749077032329217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="4r8BDq">The last few minutes saw Boston get their own power play opportunity, to no avail. </p>
<p id="Wr4Mqm"><strong>Second Period</strong></p>
<p id="SHBfMp">OK, this is the most casually awesome fan image I have seen in a long time.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">shoutout to the kid who has a shirt of Kevan Miller punching Tage Thompson <a href="https://t.co/QQQleBtUTM">pic.twitter.com/QQQleBtUTM</a></p>— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1385748917095182340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="8rm3EY">I have to imagine that the dad made the shirt and suggested his son should wear it... but if the inverse is true, it’s even better. I would wear this shirt. Every. Day.</p>
<p id="ZGA3qs">Nearing the midpoint, Buffalo was having an easy time skating through Boston’s neutral zone defense, and Boston couldn’t counter, leaving the puck for the Sabres near the red line. An innocuous advance by Buffalo with a 2-on-1 but in the narrowest of lanes on the right wing side. Unchallenged, they took the puck towards the net and the wild reset pass found its way to the point - and with that much time and space, Rasmus Dahlin is definitely an offensive weapon. His shot from just above the circles found the net high above Rask’s glove.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dahlin snipes one through the traffic and past Rask to give the Sabres a 2-1 lead <a href="https://t.co/q7uUMWePZZ">pic.twitter.com/q7uUMWePZZ</a></p>— The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChargingBUF/status/1385750426855919620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="bDZSaC">Another penalty to Boston - their 8th over these back-to-back games - gave the Sabres another opportunity, but fortunately the PK was able to shut down the most dangerous of chances. Jeremy Lauzon looked particularly strong at and below the goal line to the left of Rask, well aware of his surroundings and making smart plays to get the puck out of danger.</p>
<p id="LdTrJI">While the PK was almost as sharp as ever, five on five play looked really sloppy for Boston. The B’s had some decent moves in tight against the backcheck and were able to move the puck around reasonably fine, the Sabres started picking up on the pattern and were better suited to disrupt plays in tight and make the transition. </p>
<p id="XzZu1q">When Buffalo did gain the offensive zone, and with about six minutes to play in the second, Tage Thompson controlled the puck at the half wall and found Casey Middelstadt more or less isolated below the hash marks in the slot. A quick flick of the wrist, and Buffalo enjoyed a 3-1 lead.</p>
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<p lang="de" dir="ltr">Tommer ➡️ Mitts <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoBuffalo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoBuffalo</a> <a href="https://t.co/t268YTYfYh">pic.twitter.com/t268YTYfYh</a></p>— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1385755320320995328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="H4jWli">As the period wound down, you could see the desperation brewing among Boston’s skaters. Craig Smith took down Dylan Cozens in the neutral zone, very far from the puck... and Cozens thought it was a good idea to make it look worse? 4v4 didn’t yield much, and the reduced manpower carried over into the third by about 30 seconds.</p>
<p id="AOeRde"><strong>Third Period</strong></p>
<p id="yGctTe">Just.</p>
<p id="tW25nx">Terrible.</p>
<p id="Bi6ifc">Buffalo took a 4- 1 lead just over a minute in on what looked like it would become a broken 3-on-2 for Buffalo... and, it was, because someone dropped a stick. Ruotsalainen, however, took adantage of the distraction and ripped a shot four-hole on Rask, chasing him to the bench in favor of Jaroslav Halak.</p>
<p id="i2pUmh">.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> GOAL! <br><br>Ruotsalainen gives the Sabres a three goal lead.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLBruins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLBruins</a> 1<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoBuffalo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoBuffalo</a> 4 <a href="https://t.co/d0pQghGinc">pic.twitter.com/d0pQghGinc</a></p>— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BruinsCLNS/status/1385762582766686219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="uLuSMB">Beyond the goal, the Sabres continued to cover Boston’s attack very well. What they had built in the second period, they continued to improve, especially in the neutral zone transition after gaining the puck off turnovers. Then, with a penalty against Marchand, the brains sharted the rest of their smarts and Charlie Coyle set up Jaro to be embarrassed by Reinhart.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reinhart chips another one past Halak on the power play. <br><br>4-1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sabres?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sabres</a> lead. <a href="https://t.co/05Hcyf9WY1">pic.twitter.com/05Hcyf9WY1</a></p>— The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChargingBUF/status/1385763826084327426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="SOyDKK">A great offensive pass... if you were in the offensive zone.</p>
<p id="owoyqI">All looked lost, and some rays of hope shone through with 8 minutes and then 4 minutes to play, in the forms of goals from Ritchie and Kevan Miller - the latter for his first goal IN OVER THREE YEARS.</p>
<p id="PjP2rC">Ritchie:</p>
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<p lang="pt" dir="ltr">Décimo segundo gol do nick Ritchie na temporada <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLBruins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLBruins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrasilTemNHL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrasilTemNHL</a> <a href="https://t.co/wG2H3Sb1g6">pic.twitter.com/wG2H3Sb1g6</a></p>— Boston Strong Brasil (@BostonStrongBR) <a href="https://twitter.com/BostonStrongBR/status/1385769118809341953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="qAbhJ7">His Punchiness the Kevan:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevan Miller with his first goal since Dec. 27, 2017. <br><br>5-3 game. <a href="https://t.co/pnjaw4jSYa">pic.twitter.com/pnjaw4jSYa</a></p>— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1385769201386856453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="OsDVvR">Then Hall too?! (Off an admittedly lucky bounce.)</p>
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<p lang="pt" dir="ltr">TEORICAMENTE É DO TAYLOR HALL ENTÃO É ISTO, TUDO QUE EU PRECISAVA NO DIA DE HOJE <a href="https://t.co/EqImc3wAHm">https://t.co/EqImc3wAHm</a></p>— natália (@natonnks) <a href="https://twitter.com/natonnks/status/1385771029436452864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a>
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<p id="ecCca2">This comeback could only be thwarted by the dreaded empty-netter from Reinhart for the hat trick... and it was. Exactly that way. But only because we saw it happen first.</p>
<p id="XtW7Bf">We won’t torture you, you know what empty-net goals look like.</p>
<p id="QhT8R9">Yeesh. Put this one in the ‘working’ file and start prepping in earnest for Pittsburgh on Sunday! Matinees are the WORST!</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2021/4/23/22400379/recap-boston-bruins-fly-too-high-fall-real-hard-in-lopsided-loss-to-buffalo-sabresAdam Denhard2021-04-23T18:00:00-04:002021-04-23T18:00:00-04:00Public Skate: Sabres host Bruins for third game in a row
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<img alt="NHL: Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qvS_-u10MmKpb_4MF0xkKWdyacw=/0x0:5037x3358/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69178368/usa_today_15890451.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After a penalty-filled affair last night, can Boston get back to disciplined play?</p> <p id="PjXH1V">Has this been a fun stretch or WHAT?!</p>
<p id="94aI5j">Six wins in a row is a great place to be coming out of the trade deadline. Better yet, we have another opportunity against the lowly Sabres to continue the trend.</p>
<p id="1EvpGz">What say you? Predictions in the comments, and enjoy the game!</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2021/4/23/22399532/public-skate-sabres-host-bruins-for-third-game-in-a-rowAdam Denhard2021-04-23T11:51:23-04:002021-04-23T11:51:23-04:00Projected Lines - Bruins at Sabres, Round 3: Miller in, Clifton out
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<img alt="NHL: Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lXBTV5vB-VNTWPPeHfIevgeYfqc=/0x130:5536x3821/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69175804/usa_today_15935661.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Why mess with a good thing? Keep the chemistry coming!</p> <p id="3F9lzA">Not much is expected to change lineup-wise, especially since Boston is rolling over Buffalo. </p>
<p id="U1leQP">Bruce Cassidy did note that he’s making one change on the blueline: Kevan Miller draws in, with Connor Clifton coming out.</p>
<p id="OU8AXC">Tuukka Rask will be back in the net, as Jeremy Swayman started last night and it seems like Jaroslav Halak still needs a little more practice time before getting a start.</p>
<p id="BkyNI9">Here’s what to expect:</p>
<p id="FZJTBN"><em><strong>Forwards</strong></em></p>
<p id="zp8piw">Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak</p>
<p id="9OIqLz">Taylor Hall - David Krejci - Craig Smith</p>
<p id="XSnfrE">Nick Ritchie - Charlie Coyle - Jake DeBrusk</p>
<p id="6eYRVD">Sean Kuraly - Curtis Lazar - Chris Wagner</p>
<p id="W1S5cL"><em><strong>Defense</strong></em></p>
<p id="fiBNFq">Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy</p>
<p id="zRgdGD">Mike Reilly - Kevan Miller</p>
<p id="5wbCrx">Jeremy Lauzon - Steve Kampfer</p>
<p id="Xfyx7D"><em><strong>Goalies</strong></em></p>
<p id="F0Wvau">Tuukka Rask</p>
<p id="p9jKFD">Jeremy Swayman</p>
<p id="Mq1nYt">For Buffalo, their big lineup news is in net: Finnish netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will make his NHL debut between the pipes tonight.</p>
<p id="T7lI87">Per the Sabres’ website, Luukkonen will be the fifth Sabre to make his NHL debut this season. </p>
<p id="F6pBIN">Also, it’s apparently Fan Appreciation Night tonight in Buffalo. No offense to Sabres fans, but here’s to hoping the Bruins spoil the party.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2021/4/23/22398644/bruins-lines-vs-sabres-tuukka-rask-ukko-pekka-luukkonen-nhl-debut-kevan-miller-connor-cliftonAdam Denhard2021-04-23T07:00:00-04:002021-04-23T07:00:00-04:00Preview: Oh, Boston gets to play the Sabres again?
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<img alt="NHL: Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qr0ccd2OVpGFkQRgwpWwIU2CZGQ=/0x0:6062x4041/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69174112/usa_today_15947150.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Cool!</p> <h2 id="oeg7Ch"><strong>Just the facts</strong></h2>
<p id="iX549f"><strong>When:</strong> Tonight, 7:00 PM</p>
<p id="GjPWOB"><strong>Where:</strong> KeyBank Center - Buffalo, NY</p>
<p id="5wmMzf"><strong>How to follow:</strong> NESN+, ESPN+, MSG-B, 98.5 The Sports Hub</p>
<p id="Sqqzc9"><strong>Rival SBN site:</strong> <a href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/"><strong>Die By The Blade</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="MBSfD5"><strong>Know your enemy</strong></h2>
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<li id="AGCqyK">12-28-7, 31 points, last in the East Division</li>
<li id="eHRghS">Sam Reinhart: 17G, 13A, 30PTS; Victor Olofsson: 12G, 15A, 27PTS; Rasmus Dahlin: 4G, 16A, 20PTS</li>
<li id="bK4g2o">Dustin Tokarski: 2-7-2, 3.05 GAA, .918 save percentage (stat numbers from before yesterday’s game)</li>
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<h2 id="bIY8G5"><strong>Game notes</strong></h2>
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<li id="rlCjWF">Tonight is the sixth of eight games against Buffalo this year, and the last of this three-game stint in western New York. Boston will go for a mini-sweep, while Buffalo... well, what are they really going for right now?</li>
<li id="mfNE4x">Actually, tonight's a pretty big game from a Buffalo perspective: highly touted goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is going to make his NHL debut. He's had success at every level of hockey thus far, and is the crown jewel in Buffalo's prospect system. Nothing like throwing him in there against a team on a hot streak...good luck, kid!</li>
<li id="tKkBpT">Bigger picture: the win last night gave Boston a bit more of a cushion over the New York Rangers, now eight points back after the B’s win and the Blueshirts’ loss to the Flyers last night.</li>
<li id="lrOQ8N">The Islanders staved off part of Boston’s standings gains by losing in the shootout to the Capitals last night, and the Bruins are now three points behind them - AND the Penguins - for second/third in the East.</li>
<li id="jMzXOF">One of each: Positive - Taylor Hall looked good again, and has a point in four of his past five games. Negative - Boston’s PP didn’t score - AGAIN. At least their penalty kill continued to dominate, stifling all of Buffalo’s advantage opportunities.</li>
<li id="acoi9b">David Pastrnak’s scored a goal and adding an assist, which keeps him on his points streak going five games strong - 2G, 7A, 9PTS in that span. Brad Marchand and Matt Grzelcyk also had 1-1—2 nights.</li>
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<p id="lUKmkb">And, because they’re fun, here are some Swayman saves from last night! See you all at the public skate and on Twitter for the game tonight!</p>
<p id="PVqu34">This warmup is nuckin’ futs, first of all... and enjoy a couple save highlights after that!</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I hope Buffalo plays Blinded by the Light so Swayman can do his puck saving dance moves at warmups.... <a href="https://t.co/QgZPoeeCpy">pic.twitter.com/QgZPoeeCpy</a></p>— Phil Coombes ⛰ (@PhilCoombes) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilCoombes/status/1385367238459502592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2021</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jeremy Swayman's heart rate slows down when he is facing odd-man rushes and breakaways <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLBruins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLBruins</a> <a href="https://t.co/68OGMPDKV8">pic.twitter.com/68OGMPDKV8</a></p>— Bruins Diehards (@BruinsDiehards) <a href="https://twitter.com/BruinsDiehards/status/1385384991098609667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2021</a>
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<p lang="ht" dir="ltr">Boa defesa do Jeremy Swayman<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrasilTemNHL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrasilTemNHL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLBruins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLBruins</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q0LF6jefB9">pic.twitter.com/Q0LF6jefB9</a></p>— Boston Strong Brasil (@BostonStrongBR) <a href="https://twitter.com/BostonStrongBR/status/1385404103334010881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2021</a>
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https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2021/4/23/22398632/preview-boston-bruins-get-to-play-the-buffalo-sabres-again-what-day-is-itAdam Denhard