BOSTON — David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists just hours after signing a new contract and the rising Boston Bruins became the fastest team in NHL history to reach 100 points by beating the Buffalo Sabers 7-1 on Thursday night. defeat.
Jakub Lauko scored twice, Dmitry Orlov added a goal and two assists, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 26 shots as the Bruins overcame the loss of Brad Marchand to a lower-body injury to win their ninth consecutive game.
Boston improved to 48-8-5 in its 61st game, beating the 1976-77 Montreal team that recorded 100 points in 62 games when there were ties and no extra points for overtime or shootout wins. The Bruins have seven overtime points and shootout wins in their 101 points tally.
Pavel Zacha, Patrice Bergeron and Connor Clifton added goals for Boston.
“It was really great to see how they want to be great,” said coach Jim Montgomery.
Casey Mittelstadt scored for Buffalo and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 35 shots. But his uncharacteristic tripping penalty led to Orlov’s power play goal and turned the game around as the Sabers dropped their second straight.
The win capped off an eventful day for the Bruins. They acquired Detroit’s Tyler Bertuzzi and gave Pastrnak an eight-year, $90 million extension.
“It probably took a little longer than we hoped, but we finally crossed the finish line,” said Boston President Cam Neely. “We’re thrilled to have him for another eight years.”
Pastrnak occasionally drew a penalty against Luukkonen in the second period and then assisted on the ensuing goal. He scored his 43rd goal into an empty net in Boston’s third five-goal period, which also saw him earn his 40th assist.
Called a good “sandpaper” guy by Montgomery, Bertuzzi will help fill the roles of fellow wingers Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno. Hall was placed on long-term injured reserve and Foligno IR regular.
Last week, GM picked up Don Sweeney Orlov and Garnet Hathaway in a deal with Washington. Orlov has three goals and five assists in four games since the trade.
However, a prolonged absence from Marchand would hurt Boston. He took a big hit in the second period and didn’t return for the third.
“We think he’ll be fine,” Montgomery said.
The Sabers, who lost top forward Alex Tuch (lower body) last week, again played without the battered top defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. He was placed on injured reserve backdated to Friday, opening a spot on the roster for defenseman Riley Stillman, who was acquired from Vancouver on Monday.
Stillman immediately impressed with five hits in a scoreless first period.
And it remained deadlocked until Luukkonen was called for tripping when Pastrnak tried to beat him as he skated in alone.
“It was an unfortunate decision,” said coach Dan Granato. “Of course the referees thought it was a trip. Luukky came out and played the puck, but that’s what happens. You’re going to get challenges like that, but obviously it was a momentum swing.
Orlov scored on a one-timer on the ensuing 4-on-3 and Lauko slammed in a fat rebound 1:26 later to make it 2-0.
Buffalo, in a battle for one of the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, failed to recover.
NOTES: Sweeney said Hall and Foligno are unlikely to return before the end of the regular season. … Bertuzzi was due to arrive in Boston late on Thursday. … Sweeney doesn’t expect to close another deal before Friday’s trade deadline. … The Sabers sent F. Anders Bjork to Chicago for future consideration. … The Bruins recognized Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno during a first-period timeout. Arno died in a fire on Wednesday.
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Sabers: Host Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Bruins: host the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Bruins defeated Sabers 7-1 to become fastest team to 100 points originally appeared on NBCSports.com
