David Pastrnak’s OT winner keeps Bruins’ season alive, in 2-1 win over Sabres

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David Pastrnak’s OT winner keeps Bruins’ season alive, in 2-1 win over Sabres

Matt Vautour · MassLive

Wed, Apr 29, 2026 ·

2 min read

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With 10:36 left in the first overtime, Hampus Lindholm saw David Pastrnak coming onto the the ice on a line change. The defenseman threaded a perfect pass to him, sending the Bruins star in ahead of the Buffalo defense.

Pastrnak showed backhand, stopped short in front of the net and switched to his forehand and tucked the puck behind Alex Lyon .

The goal gave the Bruins a 2-1 win over the Sabres in Game 5 and more than that, it kept them alive in the series.

Boston now trails their first-round seires, three games to two. They'll host Game 6 at TD Garden on Friday.

After Sunday's stinker in Boston, the Bruins came out sharper in Game 5. From the opening faceoff, it was clear that they had more energy and much more cohesion.

Still, Rasmus Dahlin put Buffalo ahead in the first period and ended their month-long playoff drought in the process. With Mark Kastelic in the penalty box for roughing, the Sabres finally scored after 39 straight failed power plays.

Trailing on the rush, the defenseman collected a pass from Jason Zucker in the right wing circle and snapped in by Jeremy Swayman , 3:35 into the game.

The Bruins began gathering momentum late in the first period, but didn't tie the game until just before the midway point of the second. Alex Lyon stopped Elias Lindholm 's initial tough-angle shot, but the rebound flopped into traffic in the slot.

Lindholm was first to it and wheeled around and wristed it by Alex Lyon to make it 1-1 with 10:36 left.

Both teams had chances from close range early in the third period and each goalie rose to the moment.

Buffalo nearly scored with just over 2 minutes left with Swayman down on the ice. But Hampus Lindholm alertly moved behind him and batted a shot down with his glove.

The Bruins appeared to have scored a would-be game winner, 2:58 into overtime when Sean Kuraly dislodged the puck from under Alex Lyon's pads into the net, but the referee ruled he'd pushed more pad than puck, extending the game.

Swayman finished with 26 saves.

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