By Jessica Camerato & Mary Paoletti
CSNNE.com
BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins extended their winning streak to five games with a 6-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, who also entered the game winners of four straight, on Saturday night at TD Garden.
The Sabres (10-6-0) struck first, as Thomas Vanek scored his 11th goal of the season just under six minutes into the first period. Jason Pominville assisted on the goal, snapping Tim Thomas shutout streak at 80 minutes and 34 seconds. Thomas had not allowed a goal since November 1.
The Bruins (8-7-0) reclaimed the game in the second period. Rich Peverley, who missed the previous two games with an undisclosed injury, tied the game on an assist from Chris Kelly less than eight minutes into the period. Tyler Seguin then gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead off an assist from Brad Marchand, and Nathan Horton added another goal (assisted by Johnny Boychuk and Zdeno Chara) 16 seconds later. The goals by Seguin and Horton marked the fifth time in four games that the Bruins have scored two goals in less than 30 seconds.
The Bs continued their offensive attack in third period, doubling their total to six goals. First it was Kelly who scored from Peverley, with Seguin scoring from Patrice Bergeron and Marchand less than two minutes later. Less than three minutes after, Marchand scored a goal assisted by Seguin. The Sabres fought back with a power play goal from Marc-Andre Gragnani, assisted by Christian Ehrhoff and Luke Adam.
With two goals scored, Seguin matched his total of 11 from his rookie season. He and Marchand extended their point streaks to six and five games, respectively.
The Bruins will face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at TD Garden.
Boston Bruins
GOLD STAR: Tyler Seguin, Tyler Seguin. I hope you aren't tired of seeing his name in this spot because he'll certainly be back. Seguin had two goals in Boston's 6-2 Thursday night win. The scores give him 11 goals on the season, which matches his final rookie tally. Go ahead and double-check the calendar because it IS only November. Seguin is currently on pace for 61.
HONORABLE MENTION: It could be Brad Marchand (one goal, two assists), but let's not let one line have all the glory. Rich Peverley had a goal and a helper in his first game back from an undisclosed ailment. Peverley missed a few practices and Boston's previous two games (Islanders and Oilers) but showed no rust in his return. His goal tied the game at 1-all and opened the Bruins' offensive floodgate.
BLACK EYE: Benoit Pouliot has taken a step back from backward. He scored in Boston's 6-2 win over the New York Islanders, but followed up with a goose egg against Edmonton. Head coach Claude Julien no doubt felt he had to look elsewhere with only one point from Pouliot in 10 games; the winger sat on Level 9 Thursday as a healthy scratch in favor of Zach Hamill.
TURNING POINT: Seguin's first goal, at 13:29 in the second period, gave the Bruins a 2-1 edge. It also triggered a trademark Boston quick-strike as Nathan Horton potted a wrister just 16 seconds later. The Bruins went on to score three more goals unanswered. Fun fact? Boston has scored two goals in less than one minute nine times this season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 30: goals Boston has scored in its five-game winning streak. The Bruins scored 22 times in its opening 10 games, a stretch in which the team went 3-7-0. This is the opposite of a coincidence.
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I just stuck around because I just want to say what a piece of expletive I think Milan Lucic is," spit Ryan Miller. The embattled Sabres goalie let this little gem go after the game, a clear reference to being taken down by Lucic in the first period. Once a netminder leaves his crease he can be hit by an opponent, but the wallop unleashed by Lucic -- after Miller came out to rob the Bruin of a breakaway -- drew a charging penalty. And Miller's unprintable ire.