ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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BUFFALO -- Powered by Ryan Spooner's shootout goal, the Boston Bruins left First Niagara Center with two points, leaving the Buffalo Sabres with just one.

Buffalo jumped out to an early lead with an Evander Kane goal at 11:35, assisted by Brian Gionta.

Sam Reinhart put the Blue & Gold up 2-0 just 47 seconds into the second period. Mark Pysyk and Ryan O'Reilly assisted on the goal. Less than a minute later, however, Spooner scored to bring the Bruins within one, assisted by Torey Krug and Kevan Miller at 1:45.

In the third period, Brad Marchand scored at 2:44 to tie the game at 2-2, assisted by Patrice Bergeron.

In the shootout session, Spooner scored Boston's only goal, while Sabres shooters Gionta, Kane and O'Reilly were held scoreless.

The Sabres and Bruins play again on Saturday in Boston.

NOTES:

• With the shootout loss, the Sabres fell to 4-4-1 in the second game of back-to-back sets this season.
• The Sabres are now 10-6-5 in the home portion of home-and-home sets against the Bruins all-time.
• Buffalo is now 4-0-2 in the last six home portions of home-and-home series against Boston dating back to March 11, 2004.
• The Sabres' last regulation loss in the home portion of a home-and-home set against the Bruins came on April 4, 1993.
• Evander Kane led all skaters with a career-high 11 shots on goal tonight, topping his previous high (10 shots - 3x, last: 11/18/13 vs. CGY).
• Chad Johnson fell to 2-1-1 in four career games against the Bruins with a .933 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average.

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