The Buffalo Sabres moved ahead in their first-round playoff series on Thursday night, earning a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden to take a 2-1 series lead.
Buffalo and Boston entered Game 3 tied at one game apiece, but Buffalo delivered a composed road performance to seize control of the series. After falling behind early, the Sabres found their footing in the second period when Bowen Byram tied the game at 1-1, finishing a strong setup that began with Noah Ostlund’s hustle play. Buffalo carried that momentum into the third, where Alex Tuch scored early in the period to give the Sabres their first lead of the night.
Buffalo’s defensive structure and goaltending did the rest. Alex Lyon, making his first start of the series, turned aside 25-of-26 shots and remained steady under pressure as Boston pushed for an equalizer. The Sabres limited high-danger chances and protected the middle of the ice, a key adjustment after splitting the first two games of the series.
As the Bruins pressed late with the net empty, Ostlund sealed the win with a strong effort, negating a potential icing call and finishing into the open net. The goal capped a well-rounded performance for the forward, who was appearing in his first game since late March.
The Sabres will look to extend their series lead when they face the Boston Bruins in Game 4 on Sunday, April 26 at TD Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].