Marat Khusnutdinov netted the game-winning goal just 2:07 into overtime, securing a 4-3 comeback victory for the Boston Bruins over the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden on Thursday. The thrilling finish saw the Bruins recover after the Sabres erased a two-goal deficit in the third period, marking Boston’s second straight win and Buffalo’s third consecutive overtime loss.
The game began with the Bruins taking an early lead, as Morgan Geekie opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 13:07 of the first period, extending his goal streak to six games. David Pastrnak added to the advantage just two minutes later, capitalizing on a steal in the defensive zone to make it 2-0. However, the Sabres responded before the period ended, with Rasmus Dahlin scoring a power-play goal to cut the deficit to 2-1.
In the second period, the Bruins extended their lead when Mark Kastelic scored off a rebound with just 21 seconds left, making it 3-1. Despite this, the Sabres mounted a fierce comeback in the third period, with Josh Doan and Alex Tuch scoring within a 7:25 span to tie the game at 3-3. This set the stage for overtime, where Khusnutdinov emerged as the hero.
Khusnutdinov, playing on the first line due to an injury to Elias Lindholm, seized the opportunity by keeping the puck on a 3-on-1 rush and firing a wrist shot past Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon for the winner. After the game, he expressed his excitement, calling it an “unbelievable” moment and highlighting the significance of scoring his first goal of the season in such dramatic fashion.
Bruins coach Marco Sturm praised Khusnutdinov’s performance, noting his improvement since returning to the lineup and his seamless transition to a top-six role. Sturm also commended goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who made a season-high 37 saves and earned his second consecutive start after a strong performance against the New York Islanders earlier in the week.
On the Sabres’ side, coach Lindy Ruff lamented the missed opportunities and the team’s inability to secure wins in overtime, noting that they have now lost three straight games in extra time. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin took responsibility for the game-winning goal, admitting that he “messed up” by losing an edge and allowing the Bruins to capitalize on the turnover.
The injury to Elias Lindholm, who left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury after a collision with Jordan Greenway, adds concern for the Bruins. Sturm did not provide an update post-game, but the loss of their top-line center could impact future games. Meanwhile, the Sabres continue to struggle on the road, remaining winless away from home this season.
With this victory, the Bruins improve to 6-7-0 and build momentum as they look to climb the standings. The Sabres, now 4-4-3, will need to address their overtime woes and road performance to stay competitive in the playoff race. Both teams have upcoming games that will test their resilience and depth.
The dramatic overtime winner not only highlights Khusnutdinov’s rising role but also underscores the unpredictable nature of NHL hockey, where a single play can shift the outcome. As the season progresses, such moments could define team fortunes, making this game a memorable chapter in the 2025 campaign.