A late goal in overtime propelled the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at KeyBank Center. The win strengthens Boston’s position in the Eastern Conference playoff race, a critical development as teams vie for postseason contention.
Pavel Zacha scored the decisive goal just 38 seconds into the extra period, assisted by David Pastrnak. Pastrnak carried the puck into the zone and made a key pass to Zacha, who shot from the left circle. “I was just trying to keep the speed, attempt to swing a couple of times,” Zacha said. “Didn’t see kind of an entrance there. Then one time I saw that can probably catch a guy, and ‘Pasta’ made a great play under the stick and I just saw the goalie moving so I tried to shoot it kind of low, and it worked out.”
The Sabres initially responded to Boston’s opening goal by David Pastrnak at the 12-minute mark – set up by Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov – with a goal from Jason Zucker before the end of the first period.
Boston regained the lead in the second period with a goal from Viktor Arvidsson, again assisted by Pastrnak. However, Buffalo rallied in the third period with goals from Zach Benson and another from Zucker, taking a 3-2 lead. Zucker’s second goal came on a power play.
Casey Mittelstadt then scored for Boston at 54:00, setting the stage for Zacha’s overtime winner.
Pastrnak finished the game with a goal and two assists, extending his point streak to 11 games with a total of 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists). Boston coach Marco Sturm highlighted Pastrnak’s importance to the team, stating, “He’s our guy. I’m not saying he needs to deliver and be the difference and be the goal-scorer every night, but he needs to be the driver. I feel like when he does it, we all feel it.”
Joonas Korpisalo made 22 saves for Boston, securing the win. The Bruins (40-24-8) have now won three of their last four games and currently hold the first wild card spot into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the Ottawa Senators. They are tied in points with the Montreal Canadiens for third in the Atlantic Division, though Boston has played two more games.
In a separate game on March 25, 2026, Toronto defeated the New York Rangers 4-3. Jaroslav Chmelař played over seven minutes for the Rangers.
| NHL: |
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| Buffalo – Boston 3:4 v prodloužení |
| Toronto – NY Rangers 4:3 |
