UNDATED (AP) — The Boston Bruins had a golden opportunity to creep closer to the NHL’s East Division-leading Washington Capitals tonight. Instead, the previously-hot Bruins lost to the league’s worst team.
Sam Reinhart scored three times, including a game-sealing empty-netter that sealed the Sabres’ win over the Bruins, 6-4. Reinhart’s power-play goal put Buffalo ahead, 5-1 4 1/2 minutes into the third period. But the B’s scored three times in a 5:06 span before Reinhart completed his hat trick.
Steven Kampfer had a goal and two assists for the Bruins, who ended a six-game winning streak and remain four points out of first place.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— Juuse Saros made 29 saves and Luke Kunin scored for the third straight game as the Predators beat the Blackhawks, 3-1. Ryan Johansen and Erik Haula also scored for as Nashville moved four points ahead of Dallas for the fourth and final Central Division playoff spot. Vinnie Hinostroza scored with 3:19 left in the third period to spoil Saros’ shutout bid.
— Kirill Kaprizov had two goals and the Wild picked up their sixth straight win by holding off the Kings, 4-2. Joel Eriksson Ek and Nico Strum also scored as Minnesota improved to 9-2-1 in its past 12 games. Cam Talbot made 40 saves in helping the Wild get within five points of West-leading Vegas.
— Alexandar Georgiev stopped 26 shots in the Rangers’ fifth win in seven games, 4-1 against the Flyers. Pavel Buchnevich and rookie Alexis Lafreniere each had a goal and an assist for the Blueshirts, who moved within six points of fourth-place Boston in the East Division. Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil also scored and Artemi Panarin had two assists to help New York bounce back one night after a 3-2 loss to the Flyers.
— The Flames doubled up the Canadiens, 4-2 as Sean Monahan had a goal and two assists. Andrew Mangiapane had a goal and an assist for Calgary in the first of three straight games between the teams. The Flames pulled six points behind Montreal for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division.
