Bruins End 2022 with Overtime Loss to Sabres

BOSTON - The Bruins appeared poised for one of their patented third-period thrashings.
Despite entering the final frame trailing the Sabres by a goal, the Black & Gold stormed back to take the lead and had nearly a full two-minute, 5-on-3 power play late in regulation but failed to capitalize and put the game away.
As such, Buffalo struck for the tying goal with 1:37 remaining, before handing the Bruins a 4-3 loss when Alex Tuch buried the winner with 1:07 left in overtime on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.

"I thought it was good third, but with that being said, I think we're in a game where we've got to be better," said Patrice Bergeron. "We're not managing pucks well and that's when teams take it to us…we've definitely got to rectify that.
"I think the third was a good period today - to get back in the game and get the lead…but there's pockets in the game where we need to be better, and we have to do better."
After trailing, 2-1, to start the third period, Bergeron tied the game at 5:16 of the frame when he buried one from the bumper on the power play off a feed from Brad Marchand for his 15th goal of the season. The tally was his 1,012th career point, tying him with Phil Esposito for third place on the Bruins' all-time scoring list.
"Someone mentioned last game that I was a point away," said Bergeron. "These guys are legends. It's an honor to be even up there with them. Took me a lot more games than them, but it's definitely nice. As I said, they're legends of the game and it's pretty amazing."
Boston continued its third-period push when David Pastrnak sprung Marchand through the neutral zone for a breakaway, which Marchand buried with a five-hole finish to put the Bruins ahead, 3-2, with 7:35 remaining.
"I think it's just that we all knew that we needed to be a little bit better, and we just put a really good push on," Marchand said of the Bruins' strong third period. "We talked in between the second and knew that we had more to give. Once, we got that goal to tie it up, I think we all got a little extra motivation, a little hunger, but unfortunately, we dropped the ball there late, but I think it all felt good in the third."
Video: Montgomery and players react to 4-3 OT loss
The Bruins squandered a golden opportunity in the closing minutes of regulation when back-to-back high sticking penalties just four seconds apart gave them a 5-on-3 power play for 1:56. But Boston failed to take advantage of the two-man advantage and the remaining time on the original double minor, clearly feeding life into the Sabres as they searched for the equalizer.
"Disappointing finish…we had our hands all around it and kind of squandered it with a couple PP's late," said Marchand. "So, that's on us, we should've been much better in that situation."
The Sabres capitalized on the Bruins' inability to put the game away when Dylan Cozens scored with 1:37 remaining and Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (37 saves) on the bench for an extra attacker.
"It's not like we've never talked about it," Bergeron said when asked about Bruins coach Jim Montgomery saying he regretted not taking a timeout before the 5-on-3 to reset. "We should know the plays that we want to create, but also I think use your instincts a little bit more, maybe simplify that 5-on-3.
"In that situation with the time on the clock and the amount of time we have on the 5-on-3, I think we have to find a way to extend our lead there. It's on us as players on the ice."
Despite the disappointing finish, the Bruins - who carry a 28-4-4 record into the new year - have little reason to dwell on the loss, especially with the 2023 NHL Winter Classic on Monday afternoon at Fenway Park against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"We got a point and we have a great opportunity ahead of us, we're going to have a lot of fun," said Marchand. "It's an exciting time, everyone has a ton of family here and we're all looking forward to getting out there [Sunday afternoon] and skating and getting it out of the way. So, yeah, disappointing tonight, but lots to look forward to."
### Wait, There's More

• Pastrnak had a goal and an assist to reach 50 points in 36 games this season, becoming the fifth Bruins player to hit that mark in 36 games or fewer multiple times after also doing so in 36 games in 2019-20 (Bobby Orr, 6; Phil Esposito, 5; Adam Oates, 3; and Bill Cowley, 3), per NHL Stats.
• The Bruins (18-0-3) tied the franchise record for longest home point streak to start a season (1973-74, 19-0-2). Philadelphia holds the NHL record with 26 (1979-80).
• Brandon Carlo left Saturday's game late in the third period when he took a high stick from J.J. Peterka that led to a four-minute power play for the Bruins. Carlo appeared to be bloodied and did not return.
• Montgomery said before the game that Tomas Nosek, who has missed the last two games with injury, should be ready to play on Monday in the Winter Classic.