Pastrnak's OT Winner Keeps the Bruins Alive

David Pastrnak scored at 9:14 of overtime as the Boston Bruins avoided elimination with a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round at KeyBank Center. The Sabres still lead the series 3-2.

Buffalo 1, Boston 2 (OT) — periods 1-0, 0-1, 0-0, 0-1

Goals: 1st – Dahlin (Zucker, Thompson) PP 3:35. 2nd – Lindholm 9:50. OT – Pastrnak (H. Lindholm) 9:14. Goalies: Lyon – Swayman (29 saves on 30). Shots: 25-29.

Dahlin Strikes First on the Power Play

Buffalo came out hunting. Jason Zucker's initial pass attempt for Tage Thompson was blocked by Andrew Peeke, but the puck rebounded right back to Zucker, who fed Dahlin in the right circle for a one-timer at 3:35. KeyBank Center, packed and loud, sensed the close-out coming.

Pastrnak: "We're Neighbours"

Elias Lindholm tied it midway through the second on an individual rush. The third period was the most dramatic of the night — Buffalo got two power plays, Boston survived both, and Swayman made stop after stop on Tage Thompson's shifts. Asked about his chemistry with Hampus Lindholm after the game, Pastrnak grinned: "We're neighbours, so we always call it the neighbour-line. We have chemistry, we have fun out there, and I'm happy it worked out."

Overtime: Krebs Turns It Over, Lindholm Springs Pastrnak

The OT winner came from one mistake. Peyton Krebs lost the puck at his own blue line; Hampus Lindholm immediately sent a stretch pass to Pastrnak, who skated in on a partial breakaway and dragged Lyon out with a backhand fake before tucking the puck inside the right post at 9:14. Lindy Ruff said afterwards: "It will be a very tough series, I said that before it began. We had chances in the third we didn't convert."

What It Means

Boston returns to TD Garden with the series still on the line — but with a season's worth of confidence in Pastrnak's right hand. Buffalo, looking for its first second-round berth since 2007, suddenly has to fight off a wounded Bruins team in a hostile barn. The pressure swings.

Sources: NHL.com, NBC Sports Boston, sportnet.sme.sk