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Bruins Win OT, Force Game 6 Against Sabres

4/29/2026

29 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Pastrnak Scores OT

On Tuesday, April 29, 2026, the Boston Bruins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in overtime.
David Pastrnak scored the winner at 9:14 of OT after a stretch pass from defenseman Hampus Lindholm.
Goalie Jeremy Swayman stopped 24 of 25 shots while Buffalo’s Alex Lyon allowed one goal.
The win, despite a 0-for-3 power play and a 29-25 shot advantage, forces Game 6 in Boston on Friday night to avoid elimination.

Summary

Pastrnak OT Winner

David Pastrnak scored the overtime winner, his second OT goal, becoming the first Boston player with multiple overtime goals to avoid elimination.
Rasmus Dahlin’s power-play goal at 3:35 of the first period ended Buffalo’s 11-game, 0-for-39 power-play drought dating back to April 2.
Noah Ostlund left with a lower-body injury in the first period and was ruled out, reducing Buffalo’s center depth.

Summary

Sturm reshuffles lineup

Coach Marco Sturm reshuffled lineup, putting Marat Khusnutdinov, Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak on line and adding Alex Steeves and Henri Jokiharju because Viktor Arvidsson missed the game with an upper-body injury.
Sturm arrived before puck drop, posted lineup in the locker room and skipped the morning skate.
Alex Steeves and Henri Jokiharju made their NHL playoff debuts, while Marat Khusnutdinov logged five hits and 21:30 of ice time.

Summary

Buffalo Leads

Buffalo leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 after Game 5, putting the Bruins on the brink of elimination.
Boston entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card team.
Buffalo was the Atlantic Division’s No. 1 seed.
Game 6 will be aired nationally on ESPN, TVAS2 and SN360 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Sabres are aiming for their first playoff series win since 2007.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the New York Rangers captured the Stanley Cup, ending a 54-year drought since their 1940 title. Their run featured seven game-sevens and was the first Eastern Conference Final since 1985 without the Boston Bruins or Montreal Canadiens. That season also saw all former WHA teams miss the playoffs and Wayne Gretzky sit out for the first time.

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Pastrnak Scores OT

On Tuesday, April 29, 2026, the Boston Bruins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in overtime.
David Pastrnak scored the winner at 9:14 of OT after a stretch pass from defenseman Hampus Lindholm.
Goalie Jeremy Swayman stopped 24 of 25 shots while Buffalo’s Alex Lyon allowed one goal.
The win, despite a 0-for-3 power play and a 29-25 shot advantage, forces Game 6 in Boston on Friday night to avoid elimination.

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