The Boston Bruins had plans on rebounding from their Game 3 loss on home ice at TD Garden to the visiting Buffalo Sabres, which put them in a two games to one series deficit.
However, what took place in the opening 20 minutes of Sunday afternoon’s Game 4 was anything but conducive to that plan by the host Bruins, who not only suffered through an abysmal period but also managed to hit a historic low not seen in three and a half decades.
The Sabres erupted for four first period goals en route to what was a 6-1 laugher in Boston, taking a three games to one series lead back to what will surely be a roaring atmosphere in Buffalo for Game 5.
The Boston Bruins Hit A Historic Low On Sunday Afternoon
The Sabres raced out to a 4-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes of play at TD Garden, which proved to be an insurmountable lead.
For the Bruins, it was the first time that they allowed four goals in the opening 20 minutes of play in a Stanley Cup Playoff game since 19991 against the Hartford Whalers.
The Whalers are now known as the Carolina Hurricanes, having moved to North Carolina in 1997; they are also now the first team to have punched their ticket to the second round of the postseason thanks to a four game sweep of the Ottawa Senators.
Buffalo struck first not even five minutes into the game, as Peyton Krebs beat goaltender Jeremy Swayman at the 4:17 mark. Not even three minutes later, first-year Sabres forward Josh Doan, the son of former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan, increased the lead to 2-0 with his first career postseason tally.
The onslaught continued just two minutes and five seconds later as Zach Benson found the back of the net, his first goal of the postseason. Not to be outdone, Buffalo increased their lead to four goals thanks to a tally from Bowen Byram, his third goal of the postseason.
Loud boos rained down from the frustrated Bruins fan base as time ticked away in the first period, bringing the frame to a merciful end.
However, Buffalo continued to hammer Boston into submission, getting goals from Beck Malenstyn and Alex Tuch in the third period after a scoreless middle frame.
Boston managed to break the shutout attempt of Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon thanks to a shorthanded goal from Sean Kuraly with just 40 seconds left in regulation, but it was far too little, too late.
The Bruins Now Trail The Sabres Three Games To One
The Bruins now face the daunting task of having literally no choice but to win three straight games against the red-hot Sabres, who now have all the momentum on their side, to avoid a first-round elimination from the postseason.
It’s certainly not impossible, as several teams over the last decades have managed to dig themselves out of multiple considerable holes.
For Boston, they’ll simply need to take it one period at a time. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Buffalo; puck drop will be at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Bruins Hit Historic Low with Worst Playoff First Period Since 1991