3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 6-1 Game 4 Win Over the Bruins – The Hockey Writers –

The vibes among Buffalo Sabres faithful were immaculate following the team’s 3-1 win in Game 3. Even when the team is on the road, the atmosphere in Buffalo remains electric and exciting, the city demonstrating its unique character in any number of ways.

Rolling into Game 4, it felt like a pivotal game for both teams. Unfortunately for the Boston Bruins, the Sabres immediately put them on the mat and never let them up. The Sabres won 6-1 and it never even felt that close.

Josh Doan and Zach Benson Continue to Frustrate the Bruins

They were quiet offensively through the first two games of the series, but Josh Doan and Zach Benson have come to life and become a major issue for the Bruins. They were completely in their pesky glory in Game 4, getting on Boston from the early going.

Doan got his first goal of the series on a nifty tip-in to make it 2-0 just seven minutes in and Benson got his first on a fantastic drive to the net just two minutes later. Both were exceptionally physical as well, constantly in scrums that agitated the Bruins.

With Noah Ostlund stepping in and having an instant impact, this line has been revitalized. The Bruins haven’t had an answer for their tenacious forecheck, struggling to get out of their own zone with the duo on the ice.

Alex Tuch Continues to Have a Great Series

Alex Tuch hasn’t been to the playoffs since being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights, and he is making the most of his first opportunity. Tuch had an assist early and score the team’s sixth goal of the day just over six minutes into the third period.

He has clearly been the best player on the ice for the Sabres in this series. His physicality, defensive responsibility, and offensive output combine to make him the true x-factor in this series and his six points through four games demonstrate that.

The further the Sabres go, the more we are going to hear about how is set to become a free agent this offseason. If this is it for Tuch, it is nice to see him give this team and city his all after the litany of struggles this franchise has had.

The Power Play Continues to Be an Issue

The struggles of the power play have been well-documented. You can’t go nearly an entire calendar month without scoring a power play goal and have it not come up. It hasn’t directly cost the Sabres so far, but it definitely will if they don’t get things figured out.

The Sabres went 0-for-3 on the power play on Sunday, running their playoff streak up to 0-for-17. The Sabres buried the Bruins early, but things could have been so much worse for the home team if the power play could have even gotten one.

It feels very much like a “monkey off the back” type of situation where one goal could be enough to get them rolling. Hopefully, they figure it out before it comes back to bite them in a significant way.

Close it Out on Home Ice

The broadcast was quick to point out how difficult it is for young teams to close out series, hammering the point home several times. The Sabres – and Lindy Ruff, in particular – no doubt know this.

Getting on the board early and often had to be a relief for a team that had scored just once in the first two periods in the first three games combined. The Sabres have been the better team from top to bottom, and now is their chance to put away their long-time rivals.