Recap: Late power-play goal propels Bruins past Sabres, 3-1

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Morgan Geekie scored the game-winner after his first go-ahead goal was called back.

The Boston Bruins stuck with it to close out the game in the third period with a late power-play goal to top the Buffalo Sabres, 3-1, Saturday at the TD Garden.

Morgan Geekie netted the game-winning goal with one second remaining on the power play as he blasted a one-timer off a feed from David Pastrnak.

The tally came after a would-be, go-ahead goal from the forward was called back for off sides earlier in the period.

The win handed the Buffalo Sabres their 13th consecutive loss.

The Sabres outplayed and outshot the Bruins through 40 minutes with more offensive-zone time. Despite that, Charlie Coyle turned an offensive-zone penalty into a goal when he was greeted with the puck hitting the ice from the penalty box. But JJ Peterka tied the game on the power play late in the second period.

The Bruins bounced back in the third period, getting more shots to the net and limiting the Sabres to only three shots.

Brad Marchand solidified the win for the Bruins with an empty-net goal.

Here are the highlights!

First period:

The puck found Charlie Coyle fresh out of the box where he skated in on a breakaway, not giving up on his initial shot despite falling to the ice. After a couple of whacks, Coyle hit the puck through James Reimer's five-hole at 8:15 of the first period. 1-0 Bruins.

Second period:

JJ Peterka struck on the power play with a wrist shot from the high slot that found the hole between Joonas Korpisalo's blocker at 18:23 of the second period. 1-1 game.

Third period:

David Pastrnak spotted Morgan Geekie in the slot for a one-timer past Reimer's right skate at 18:15 of the third period — with one second remaining on the Bruins' power play. 2-1 Bruins.

Brad Marchand capped off the night with a wrist shot into the empty net at 19:08 of the third period. Final score: 3-1 Bruins.

Game notes

• It may not have been the prettiest game, but the Bruins found a way to beat some likely fatigue from the road trip and come away with two points. Interim Head Coach Joe Sacco said the team wasn't at its best tonight and Korpisalo gave the Bruins a chance earlier on as Buffalo showed desperation.
• After taking an offensive-zone penalty, Coyle was redeemed with that breakaway and his effort to jab away at the puck until it went in. Postgame, Coyle said he knew the puck was still loose and had sight on it.
• The Bruins ended the night 1 for 3 on the power play. The man advantage still needs some spark and more shots on net despite capitalizing on one opportunity. Besides the third power play, the first two couldn't generate anything.
• After the game, Sacco said Geekie is finding his niche and open ice. "He's finding some open ice because he can shoot and he's getting to the net front which I think is very important for that line," Sacco said. "That line needs someone to drive to the front of the net, and he's been doing a much better job on that by opening up space for the other two men on the outside."
• Geekie said his line has really built chemistry and he's worked on not passing up shooting chances. "I'm trying to get to the net as much as I can with these two (players)," Geekie said about Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak. "I like to make plays and get the puck inside. Someone has to do the dirty work a little bit and get inside the crease."
• Coyle soundbite on Nikita Zadorov's pass into open ice with his timing getting out of the box: "My eyes lit up. That's never happened to me."
• Oliver Wahlstrom logged 9:48 TOI tonight. With 12 minutes of special team time, Wahlstrom was "fine" when he was out on even strength, Sacco said. He added they need to find a way to utilize him because he's not getting a ton of time on the power play or penalty kill so his ice time will get cut when special teams are in play.
• The Bruins are set to face the Washington Capitals on Monday at 7 p.m. at the TD Garden.