The Boston Bruins snapped an uncharacteristic four-game losing streak on Wednesday night, emerging from the Christmas break with a convincing 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Western New York.

It was the team's first win since Dec. 15; the Bruins lost to the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets and Wild again to limp into the three-day break.

But it looked like a different team at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Charlie Coyle led the way with two goals, while Brad Marchand picked up two assists to help stop the streak.

“As a group, obviously, we didn’t like how we ended the break,” forward Jake DeBrusk said afterwards, according to The Associated Press. “Had a couple days to reset and came out with a good effort tonight, had some good goaltending and just rolled with it.”

Jeremy Swayman was excellent for his club, making 25 saves and allowing just a single goal on the night. The penalty kill was also spectacular, with the Bruins taking six minor infractions and killing each of them off.

Special teams the difference for Bruins

David Pastrnak and Jeremy Swayman are deserving of playing in the All-Star Game for the Bruins.
12/22/23

Bottom line is special teams, no doubt,” Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson, who scored his team's lone goal in the contest, said after. “They scored when they needed to and they capitalized on their chances, especially on the power play. That was the difference.”

Mason Lohrei opened the scoring for Boston, grabbing a rebound and shooting it past Devon Levi just 4:19 into the opening frame. Coyle made the lead two goals on a powerplay with 6:18 remaining in the opening frame. He scored his second PP goal of the game early in the second, when his shot deflected off Johnson's skate and into the net.

“We always want to get out to a lead if you can, and then it’s up to us to push that lead, build in our game, play the right way,” Coyle explained. “We’ve just got to keep building on our game.”

The Bruins will look to continue the positive momentum against the New Jersey Devils at home on Saturday. The Sabres will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on the same day as they look to get back in the win column.