Lucic's Back And The Sabres Hate Him

Milan Lucic has the rep for being one tough customer who can play the game. The Buffalo Sabres hate playing the Boston Bruins with Lucic in the lineup because of the physical threat the big left winger brings, as well as having an ability to score and set up plays. Lucic is easing his way back in the Bruins' lineup after being out for some time with a surgically repaired index finger, so he only played for 13-14 minutes, but he did make his presence felt, scoring his first goal of the season on his only shot on Buffalo's netminder Ryan Miller.

The Sabres took an early lead with a power play goal from Paul Gaustad at 4:20 of the 1st period, and then Lucic's goal midway through the 2nd tied the game 1-1. Bruins' goalie Tuukka Rask earned an assist on the goal. Buffalo peppered Rusk with 15 shots in the 3rd, but Rusk stood tall and forcing overtime.

Patrice Bergeron scored the winner, a tip-in on a point shot from defenseman Zdeno Chara, in the extra period at 0:47 in, giving Boston their 3 win in their last 4 games. With the win, the Bruins are now only 2 points behind Buffalo for the lead in the Northeast Division standings, although Buffalo does have a number of games in hand. Notably, Thomas Vanek, Buffalo's sniper was held pointless, although he did have a number of scoring chances.

Boston's next game is on Monday when they head to St Louis to play the Blues, while the Sabres play again tonight in Ottawa for fight against the division rival Senators.