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RECAP: New coach, old result for Buffalo Sabres in loss to Boston Bruins

Mar 3, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

David Krejci recorded his 700th career point on the first of his three assists, and David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist as the visiting Boston Bruins handed the reeling Buffalo Sabres their 13th consecutive loss, 4-1 on Thursday.

Greg McKegg posted his first goal of the season, while Jake DeBrusk and Craig Smith also scored for Boston, which won back-to-back contests for the first time since a five-game winning streak from Feb. 1-12.

Jaroslav Halak stopped 23 of 24 shots as the Bruins beat Buffalo for a sixth straight time.

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Kyle Okposo netted his first goal of the season and Carter Hutton made 33 saves as the Sabres’ misery continued one day after firing coach Ralph Krueger.

Buffalo is 0-11-2 since winning at New Jersey on Feb. 23 — its longest slide since dropping 14 straight in 2014-15.

The Sabres, who have scored just three goals in four games, are also mired in an 0-9-1 home rut.

Boston wasted little time in opening the scoring. Just 2:56 into the contest, McKegg deflected in a shot that Matt Grzelcyk threw toward the net.

The Bruins hoped to pad the lead on a power play early in the second period, but instead, Buffalo scored its first short-handed goal of the season. A seemingly casual shot from Okposo went over the glove of Halak to tie the game 1:54 into the middle frame.

Boston did come through on the power play to take a 2-1 lead with 10:45 left in the second when DeBrusk pushed in a rebound of Pastrnak’s blast from the point. Krejci also assisted on the play for his milestone point.

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Krejci helped increase Boston’s advantage to 3-1 by setting up Smith for a turnaround shot that slid in off the left pad of Hutton with 1:24 to play in the second. Pastrnak netted a power-play goal early in the third off a perfect pass from Krejci.

This contest went on despite each club having its morning skate canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. Boston forward Sean Kuraly reportedly was placed in the protocol on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

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