BOSTON (AP) — David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists just hours after signing a new contract, and the surging Boston Bruins became the fastest team in NHL history to score 100 points with a win over the Buffalo Sabers on Thursday night » with a score of 7-1.
Yakub Lauko scored twice, Dmitry Orlov had a goal and two assists and Jeremy Swaiman stopped 26 shots as the Bruins overcame the loss of Brad Marchand to a lower-body injury to win their ninth straight.
Boston improved to 48-8-5 in their 61st game, surpassing the 100-point 62-game mark by Montreal’s 1976-77 team. The Bruins are closing in on tying the Canadiens for points (132) in a season.
Pavel Zaka, Patrice Bergeron and Connor Clifton added goals for Boston.
Casey Mittelstadt scored for Buffalo and Uka-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 35 shots. But his unusual free kick led to Orlov’s power-play goal to turn the game around as the Sabers lost their second straight.
The win capped off an eventful day for the Bruins. They acquired Tyler Bertuzzi from Detroit and extended Pastrnak for eight years for $90 million.
“It probably took a little longer than we hoped, but we finally got to the finish line,” Boston president Cam Neely said. “We’re very excited to have him for another eight years.”
Pastrnak converted a surprising penalty on Luukkonen’s goal in the second period and then assisted on the goal. He scored his 43rd goal in Boston’s five-goal third period, in which he also had his 40th assist.
Bertuzzi, who coach Jim Montgomery called a good “sandpaper,” will help fill the roles of fellow wingers Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno. Hall was placed on long-term injured reserve and Foligno on regular VC.
Last week, GM Don Sweeney signed Orlov and Garnett Hathaway to Washington. The Eagles have dominated in four games since being traded to Boston.
“We’re going to have a tough playoff run,” Montgomery said.
However, Marchand’s extended absence will hurt Boston. He was hit hard in the second period and did not return in the third.
The Sabres, who lost top line forward Alex Tuch (lower body) last week, were again without strong top defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. He was placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Friday, opening a roster spot for defenseman Riley Stillman, acquired Monday from Vancouver.
Stillman made an immediate impact, recording five hits in a scoreless first period.
And it remained deadlocked until Luukkonen was called for tripping as Pastrnak tried to beat him when riding alone.
Orlov scored on a one-timer on the next 4-on-3, and Lauko made a fat rebound 1:26 later to make it 2-0.
Buffalo, fighting for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, was unable to recover.
NOTES: Sweeney said Hall and Foligno are unlikely to return before the end of the regular season. … Bertuzzi was scheduled to arrive in Boston late Thursday. … Sweeney doesn’t expect to make another deal before Friday’s trade deadline. … The Sabers traded F Anders Bjork to Chicago for the future. … The Bruins recognized Buffalo fireman Jason Arnaud during a first-period timeout. Arno died in a fire on Wednesday.
FURTHER
Sabre: Hosts Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Bruins: Host the New York Rangers on Saturday.
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