Boston Bruins’ Special Teams Deliver 4-1 Win Over Buffalo Sabres

The Bruins went 3-for-4 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Boston Bruins were fueled by their special teams in Wednesday night’s 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, including two power-play goals from Charlie Coyle.

A lot of things went right for the B’s as they snapped their four-game losing streak, specifically the power play and penalty kill that were 3-for-4 and 6-for-6, respectively. Coming out of the holiday hiatus, the Bruins were on the hunt for extended scoring and tighter defensive coverage – both those areas shined while up and down a man.

The penalty kill was put to the test early after Brad Marchand was assessed two minors at 7:31 of the opening frame for cross-checking and an unsportsmanlike conduct. However, Boston bailed its captain out, shutting down Buffalo plays at the top of the zone and putting a body or stick in passing and shooting lanes.

The Bruins logged a total 20 blocked shots to the Sabres’ 10.

“Number one, Swayman, I thought was terrific. And then I just thought when we were down to three, we really kept them on one side of the ice, and our sticks were to the middle so we didn’t get seamed,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said of the penalty kill to reporters postgame Wednesday.

Jeremy Swayman finished the night with 25 saves.

Coyle’s first power play goal of the contest came at 13:42 of the first period off a crisp play from Jake DeBrusk behind the net. DeBrusk looped around and darted the puck to Coyle who was parked in front of the Sabres’ crease where he ripped it past Devon Levi for the 2-0 advantage.

“We always want to get out to a lead if we can, and then it’s up to us to push that lead, build on our game, play the right way,” Coyle said to reporters postgame Wednesday.

Coyle and DeBrusk connected again at 4:18 of the second period while on the man advantage. DeBrusk sprung the puck out from the corner to Coyle who threw it on net – for what looked to be a pass – but the rubber bounced in off Buffalo defenseman Erik Johnson’s skate. Coyle gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead with his 12th tuck of the season.

Boston’s second power play unit of Coyle, DeBrusk, James van Riemsdyk, Kevin Shattenkirk and Hampus Lindholm was, evidently, buzzing. Its puck movement was sharp and speedy, and the group wasn’t just looking for the perfect shot.

A similar sentiment applied to the first unit of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Pavel Zacha, Charlie McAvoy and Morgan Geekie – who potted the B’s third power-play goal of the night at 13:44 of the second for the 4-0 boost.

A blast from McAvoy at the point bounced off the back boards and popped back up near the crease for Geekie to knock home. It wasn’t the prettiest play, but it was the type of goal that the Bruins need more of. Finding ways to score and build on leads has been a recent struggle, but Boston returned closer to form Wednesday with gritty, second-effort looks down low.

Coyle, who hadn’t scored since Dec. 9 against the Arizona Coyotes, wasn’t just offensively effective. The penalty kill stalwart’s defensive effort on the second unit with Marchand, McAvoy and Parker Wotherspoon was a reminder of the versatility and on-ice leadership Coyle brings to the B’s lineup.

It seemed the 12 killed-off penalty minutes also gelled a team that had looked disjointed as of late. The Bruins were forced to do the little things right.

“Do we want four minutes on the clock, no we don’t, we don’t want to be PK four minutes,” Coyle said, referring to Marchand’s penalties. “But it’s an opportunity to kind of get back in the swing of things and playing with those good details, those good habits.”

Boston will return to home ice Saturday against the New Jersey Devils for a 7 p.m. puck drop at TD Garden.