Bruins best Buffalo in overtime

The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres met tonight in a Northeast division throw down. The game lived up to a traditional divisional battle, as the Bruins and Sabres had to settle things in overtime.

The Sabres struck first in this game, just four minutes and twenty seconds into the first period.

Bryon Bitz was sent off for tripping Patrick Kaleta at 16:37, and Buffalo was able to take advantage on the power play.

Paul Guastad, who was parked on the doorstep, got his stick on a Jason Pominville slapper from the blue line, and Buffalo was off to a good start.

Gaustad's fifth goal of the season carried the Sabres into the locker room with a 1-0 lead.

The second period was all Boston, and about half way through the second, their hard work was rewarded.

Tuukka Rask had just made a nice save, and the puck deflected out to Byron Bitz who beat a Buffalo defender to the puck. Bitz brought the puck up ice, two-on-one with Milan Lucic.

Bitz made a feed across the slot for Lucic, and Lucic deposited the pass, past Ryan Miller with a quick wrister.

The goal was Lucic's first goal of the season. This was Lucic's second game back after returning from a 14 game absence due to a finger injury.

Buffalo controlled the majority of the play in the third period, out shooting the Bruins, 15-6 in the stanza.

However, Rask was up to the challenge, and he would carry Boston into overtime. This was Boston's fourth overtime battle in their last five games.

Boston would not wait long in the overtime session to make their mark. Patrice Bergeron scored 47 seconds into overtime, to give Boston the 2-1 victory.

Bergeron won the face off in the Buffalo zone and then went to the slot to tip in a shot by Zdeno Chara.

The win for Boston pulls them within two points of the Sabres for first place in the Northeast division.

Rask made 25 saves in the win for the Bruins, making his third straight start. Tim Thomas has been sidelined due to an undisclosed injury.

Boston will next be in action on Monday night in St. Louis. This game has been speculated to be the return game for Marc Savard.

Lots to look forward to for Bruins fans, as Boston has won back-to-back games, and the Bruins leading point man is ready to make his return to the lineup.