Buffalo Sabres end losing streak with 4-2 win over Boston Bruins

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Sabres end losing streak with 4-2 win over Bruins

The Buffalo Sabres finally got a win after a month of frustration. The Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 4-2 on Monday night at KeyBank Center, ending their 10-game losing streak and giving interim coach Don Granato his first victory behind the bench.

Jack Eichel scored twice, including an empty-netter with 1:02 left in the third period, to lead the Sabres offense. Rasmus Dahlin and Victor Olofsson also scored for Buffalo, while Linus Ullmark made 32 saves.

The Sabres played with more energy and confidence than they had shown in recent weeks, and they were rewarded with their first win since Nov. 16. They also snapped a 12-game winless streak against the Bruins, who had beaten them four times this season.

The Bruins, who had won three straight games, got goals from Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Tuukka Rask stopped 24 shots in his return from injury.

The Sabres took a 1-0 lead at 5:45 of the first period when Dahlin scored his third goal of the season on a power play. The defenseman blasted a one-timer from the point that beat Rask high on the glove side.

The Bruins tied it at 9:02 when Marchand scored his 18th goal of the season on a breakaway. The winger stole the puck from Henri Jokiharju at the blue line and raced in alone on Ullmark, beating him with a backhand deke.

The Sabres regained the lead at 14:11 when Eichel scored his 10th goal of the season on a wrist shot from the left circle. The captain snapped a seven-game goal drought with a shot that went through Rask's five-hole.

The Bruins tied it again at 6:16 of the second period when Pastrnak scored his league-leading 25th goal of the season on a power play. The sniper one-timed a pass from Patrice Bergeron in the slot, beating Ullmark low on the stick side.

The Sabres took the lead for good at 11:12 when Olofsson scored his 14th goal of the season on a rebound. The winger followed up his own shot and poked the puck past Rask's pad.

The Sabres held on to their one-goal lead in the third period, thanks to some timely saves by Ullmark and some solid defensive play. Eichel sealed the win with his second goal of the night, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The Sabres improved to 7-18-4 and moved out of last place in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins fell to 17-9-3 and remained in third place in the division.