David Pastrnak netted a crucial breakaway goal 9 minutes and 14 seconds into overtime, giving the Boston Bruins a vital 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup on Tuesday evening.
The dramatic winner came less than two minutes after Boston netminder Jeremy Swayman made a critical save against Alex Tuch. Pastrnak took a lengthy pass from Hampus Lindholm as he crossed the blue line, breaking away to beat Buffalo goalie Alex Lyon with a shot that went past the keeper’s skate.
Elias Lindholm contributed the other goal for Boston, while Swayman delivered 24 saves overall, including four crucial stops during the overtime period to extend the Bruins’ playoff run. The victory sends the best-of-seven series back to Boston for Game 6 this Friday.
Boston has now captured two of three contests played in Buffalo. Rasmus Dahlin tallied the only goal for the Sabres, and Lyon made 27 saves for Buffalo, which is attempting to claim its first playoff series victory since 2007.
Oilers 4, Ducks 1
Leon Draisaitl found the net twice as Edmonton extended its playoff life with a victory over visiting Anaheim in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round matchup.
Anaheim maintains a 3-2 series advantage heading into Thursday’s Game 6 in Anaheim. Vasily Podkolzin and Zach Hyman also tallied for Edmonton, which knocked Anaheim netminder Lukas Dostal from the game after scoring three times in the opening 10:13. Evan Bouchard recorded three assists, while Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each contributed two helpers.
Connor Ingram turned away 29 shots for the two-time defending Western Conference champions after serving as backup to Tristan Jarry during Edmonton’s 4-3 overtime defeat at Anaheim in Sunday’s Game 4. Alex Killorn scored for the Ducks, who remain one win away from capturing their first playoff series triumph in nine years.
Wild 4, Stars 2
Kirill Kaprizov recorded one goal and two assists as Minnesota defeated host Dallas to grab a 3-2 series advantage in their Western Conference first-round playoff battle.
Matt Boldy contributed a goal and an assist, while Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron also found the back of the net for Minnesota. Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves for the Wild.
Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen each recorded a goal and an assist for Dallas. Jake Oettinger stopped 24 shots for the Stars.
