Bruins enhance to 3-0 with robust protection vs. Buffalo Sabres

Boston’s protection held Buffalo to only one shot on objective within the first interval.

The Bruins slowed Buffalo’s offense to a halt on Saturday. (AP Picture/Michael Dwyer)

The Bruins protection made a press release of their 3-1 win over the Sabres on Saturday evening.

Jeremy Swayman did his half, stopping 21 of the 22 photographs he confronted, however the protection in entrance of him stole the present, holding Buffalo to only one shot on objective in all the first interval.

For the Bruins, a 3-0 begin to the season wasn’t one thing many anticipated. After delivery away precious property and letting others stroll during the last yr, it appeared the 2025-26 Bruins have been poised for one thing of a retooling yr. And whereas that also may transform true, for the primary week of the season Boston has been probably the greatest groups within the NHL.

“One factor that was form of a energy of our crew the final three video games we have been in a position to end the video games and win them with out their goalie enjoying 5-on-6,” Bruins ahead Pavel Zacha stated after the sport. “I believe we form of present our energy, that we actually play to the construction on protection, and we’re in a position to win.”

Swayman now has 56 saves in his two begins this season and has solely allowed one objective in every of these contests. Although Boston saved his web cleaner on Saturday evening, he nonetheless made a number of key stops to maintain the Bruins’ lead intact.

“He’s been unbelievable,” Zacha stated of Swayman. “Each of our goalies assist us log the win in these video games. You want that on this league, good robust goalies. I’m completely satisfied now we have each [Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo], they’re unbelievable.”

Swayman heaped loads of reward again on his protection — and specifically Boston’s penalty kill unit — which had one other excellent evening on Saturday, killing off all 4 penalties dedicated on Saturday.

Each particular groups have appeared good by way of three video games below new coach Marco Sturm, however the penalty kill specifically has helped set up Boston as a tough crew to play towards early. Swayman was requested after the sport Saturday what particularly makes these items run so nicely.

“Their depth. It’s our 4 outworking their 5 and its apparent,” Swayman stated. “And that’s one thing that all of us can get behind and follow with our identification. I do know it simply is a big momentum shift for us once we get kills like that.”

The Bruins could have their first main check of the season this coming week. After enjoying yet another sport at TD Backyard on Monday towards the Lightning, Boston will head out west for a 3 video games in 4 days, going through the Golden Knights Thursday, Avalanche Saturday and Utah Mammoth on Sunday.

There’s loads of season forward of them, however this Bruins crew is enjoying robust and assured to begin the yr.

“For the opposite groups to play in Boston it’s going to be onerous video games. To return in right here, everybody’s going to be saying it’s onerous to win on this enviornment,” Zacha advised reporters. “And even for us now on the highway it’s going to be one thing that’s been constructing for 3 weeks since coaching camp.

“It’s displaying up now however I believe we nonetheless need to hold going.”