Marat Khusnutdinov’s overtime winner delivers first goal of the season for Bruins vs. Sabres

Marat Khusnutdinov had waited patiently for his moment. After being a healthy scratch for a week and struggling to find the scoresheet through the early part of the season, the 23-year-old forward got his opportunity on the first line against Buffalo. He didn’t waste it. At 2:07 of overtime on Thursday night at TD Garden, Khusnutdinov unleashed a wrist shot from the right circle that beat Alex Lyon short side, giving the Boston Bruins a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres and marking his first goal of the 2024-25 campaign.

The overtime winner capped a dramatic comeback for Boston, who had blown a two-goal third-period lead before finding redemption in the extra frame. For Khusnutdinov, the goal represented validation after a challenging start to his NHL season—a reward for his perseverance and a testament to staying ready when opportunity knocks.

Marat Khusnutdinov’s overtime goal delivers first goal of the season against Bruins Sabres matchup

The decisive moment came on a 3-on-1 rush in overtime, with Khusnutdinov making the decision to keep the puck rather than distribute. His confidence in that moment reflected the trust head coach Marco Sturm had shown by elevating him to the top line alongside elite talent. The wrist shot from the right circle beat Lyon cleanly to the short side, sending TD Garden into a frenzy and giving the Bruins their second consecutive victory.

“It’s unbelievable for me. It’s the first game with the first line, first goal of the season. Great for the team, great for me,” Khusnutdinov said after the game. “It’s new for me. It’s the first time I’ve played first line in the NHL. Great time.”

The goal was particularly meaningful given Khusnutdinov’s recent journey. He had been inserted back into the lineup on Monday after sitting as a healthy scratch, and his response to adversity impressed the coaching staff. Rather than sulking, Khusnutdinov worked diligently in practice, waiting for his chance to prove he belonged in a larger role.

Sturm praised his forward’s approach to the challenge. “A player has to understand that is it fun when you get scratched? No. But the player has to be ready when your opportunity comes up,” the coach explained. “Any time he was scratched, he worked. He worked really hard in practice, and he just waited for his opportunity, and then he took advantage.”

The Bruins bench erupted with particular enthusiasm when Khusnutdinov’s shot found twine, recognizing the significance of the moment for their teammate. Defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who has developed a close relationship with Khusnutdinov both on and off the ice, summed up the collective joy: “I was really happy. It’s great. He’s a good player, good kid, too. We’ve been close since he came here. Family is close. He is coming for trick-or-treating tomorrow. It’s going to be exciting.”

Boston’s dominant start before Sabres rally forces overtime

The Bruins controlled much of the game before Buffalo’s late surge created drama. Morgan Geekie opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 13:07 of the first period, continuing his sensational run with his ninth goal of the season and extending his goal streak to six consecutive games. David Pastrnak set up Geekie with a cross-ice pass to the right circle, where the forward fired a quick wrist shot past Lyon blocker side.

Just under two minutes later, Pastrnak doubled the lead with a highlight-reel individual effort. The star winger forced a turnover in the defensive zone, creating a 2-on-1 break with Elias Lindholm. Pastrnak faked the pass before shooting from the left circle to the far side, making it 2-0 at 15:07 and picking up his seventh goal and sixth multi-point performance of the year.

Buffalo got on the board before the period ended when Rasmus Dahlin scored his first goal of the season on the power play at 16:01. The defenseman’s one-timer from the left point navigated through traffic and beat a screened Joonas Korpisalo to cut the deficit to 2-1. However, Boston restored the two-goal cushion in dramatic fashion just before the second period ended.

Mark Kastelic made it 3-1 at 19:39 with a gritty net-front goal during a scramble. After Lyon stopped Sean Kuraly’s initial shot, Tanner Jeannot poked the rebound loose in the crease, and Kastelic dove to knock it home. “For me, it was just right place, right time. [Kuraly] and [Jeannot] did most of the work on that specific play,” Kastelic said modestly. “As a line, we are just having success when we play simple. I think all of us are on the same page.”

The Bruins appeared in control heading into the final period with their two-goal cushion intact, but Buffalo had other plans.

Sabres’ third-period comeback sets stage for Khusnutdinov heroics

The Sabres showed resilience in the third period, erasing Boston’s advantage with two goals in a span of 7:25 to force overtime. Josh Doan started the comeback at 7:00 when he knocked a rebound out of the air with his glove at the top of the crease and shot past Korpisalo to make it 3-2. The goal energized Buffalo and put pressure back on the Bruins.

Alex Tuch completed the comeback at 14:25 with a crucial equalizer. Following a Sabres face-off win in the offensive zone, Dahlin fed Tuch for a wrist shot from the left hash marks that beat Korpisalo to tie the game 3-3. The goal survived a coach’s challenge by Boston for goalie interference, adding to the Bruins’ frustration.

The momentum had clearly shifted, with the Sabres appearing to have seized control despite trailing for most of the game. According to NHL.com’s game recap, Buffalo outshot Boston 37-22 over the course of regulation, demonstrating their territorial dominance even while playing from behind.

Korpisalo, making his second consecutive start, had to be sharp throughout the game. His 37 saves kept the Bruins in position to win despite the third-period surge. “That was good,” Korpisalo said with characteristic understatement. “Just try to stick with it and do my best out there.”

The Finnish netminder’s composure under pressure proved crucial, especially during Buffalo’s third-period onslaught. He had stopped 33 shots in a 5-2 win against the New York Islanders on Tuesday, and his back-to-back solid performances have provided stability for a Bruins team searching for consistency.

What this victory means for the Bruins moving forward

The 4-3 overtime victory improved Boston’s record to 6-7-0, representing their second consecutive win and third victory in their last four games. After a difficult start to the season, the Bruins are showing signs of finding their rhythm, particularly at home where they’ve now won back-to-back games.

Geekie’s continued hot streak has been a revelation for the team. His seven goals during his six-game goal streak have provided much-needed secondary scoring behind Pastrnak. The power play success has also been encouraging, with the first unit showing improved chemistry and execution.

However, the game came with a concerning development. Top-line center Elias Lindholm left the contest in the second period with a lower-body injury after a center-ice collision with Buffalo’s Jordan Greenway and did not return. The severity of Lindholm’s injury remains unclear, but his absence could test Boston’s forward depth in upcoming games.

Defenseman Zadorov emphasized the importance of building on recent performances. “I thought we showed up last game against the Islanders and tonight,” he said. “We played a good team hockey. Obviously, there is something to build [off] of.”

For Buffalo, the loss extended their losing streak to three games, each coming in overtime. More troubling is their winless record on the road (0-2-2) this season, a concerning trend for a team with playoff aspirations. Despite the strong possession numbers and third-period comeback, the Sabres couldn’t find the winning goal when it mattered most.

Looking ahead as Khusnutdinov’s confidence grows

Khusnutdinov’s game-winner could serve as a catalyst for both the player and the team. His ability to respond to adversity—from being scratched to scoring in overtime—demonstrates the mental toughness NHL coaches value. His performance on the first line suggests he may have earned an extended opportunity in that role, especially if Lindholm’s injury keeps him sidelined.

The victory also validated Sturm’s approach to lineup management and player development. By making Khusnutdinov a healthy scratch rather than sending him to the minors, the coach sent a message about accountability while keeping the young forward engaged and ready. The Boston Bruins’ official recap highlighted how Khusnutdinov’s work ethic during his time out of the lineup prepared him for this moment.

Boston will look to make it three straight wins when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden. The 1 p.m. matchup will test whether the Bruins can maintain their improved form against one of the Metropolitan Division’s top teams. Korpisalo’s strong play in consecutive games has given the team confidence in net, while the forward group’s depth scoring provides multiple offensive threats.

For Khusnutdinov, the overtime goal represents more than just his first tally of the season. It marks a breakthrough moment in his NHL journey, validating the organization’s belief in his potential and his own commitment to improvement. As the 23-year-old Russian forward continues to develop, performances like Thursday night’s overtime heroics suggest he’s ready to shoulder bigger responsibilities and contribute in meaningful ways. The Bruins will hope this is just the beginning of Khusnutdinov’s emergence as a legitimate top-six threat.