David Pastrnak’s breakaway goal at 9:14 of overtime lifted the visiting Boston Bruins to a season-saving, 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.
Less than two minutes after Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman made a massive stop on Alex Tuch, Pastrnak received Hampus Lindholm’s long feed while striding over the blue line and broke free to slot the winning goal past the skate of Buffalo’s Alex Lyon.
Elias Lindholm also scored and Swayman made four of his 24 saves in the extra session to keep the Bruins’ season alive, forcing the best-of-seven series back to Boston for Game 6 on Friday.
The Bruins have won two of the three series games in Buffalo. Rasmus Dahlin netted the lone goal and Lyon stopped 27 shots for the Sabres, who are seeking their first playoff series win since 2007.
Oilers 4, Ducks 1
Leon Draisaitl scored two goals for Edmonton, which stayed alive in its Western Conference first-round playoff series with a win over visiting Anaheim in Game 5.
The Ducks hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 6 on Thursday in Anaheim. Vasily Podkolzin and Zach Hyman also scored for the Oilers, who chased Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal after tallying three goals in the first 10:13. Evan Bouchard had three assists, and Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each had two assists.
Connor Ingram made 29 saves for the two-time defending Western Conference champions after backing up Tristan Jarry in the Oilers’ 4-3 overtime loss at Anaheim in Game 4 on Sunday. Alex Killorn scored for the Ducks, who remain one victory away from earning their first playoff series victory in nine years.
Wild 4, Stars 2
Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists as Minnesota beat host Dallas to take a 3-2 lead in a Western Conference first-round playoff series.
Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist and Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron also scored for the Wild. Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves.
Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen each had a goal and an assist for the Stars. Jake Oettinger stopped 24 shots.
