Drew Stafford Scores Hat Trick to Give Sabres 3-2 Win Over Bruins in Buffalo

Final, Sabres 3-2: The Sabres hold on for the win, but not without plenty of excitement at the end.

Patrice Bergeron nearly tied it in the final minute with a rebound of a Nathan Horton shot, but Bergeron's bid went off the side of the net.

Chara had several chances in front as well, and after the final whistle got into it with Ryan Miller. they jabbed at each other, which brought over Paul Gaustad. Chara and Gaustad tried to go as everyone else on the ice piled in. That included Marc Savard, who pulled tough guy Cody mcCormick out of the pile. Horton jumped in to help Savard out of that mess, while everyone else paired off, though no true fights broke out.

Looks like no fighting majors or misconducts will come out of that post-game scrum. Chara gets a double minor for roughing, while Savard, McCormick and Gaustad each get two minutes for roughing.

The Bruins will also get a chance to earn a split on this key divisional road trip as they move on to Montreal to take on the Habs on Thursday.

Third Period, 18:45, Sabres 3-2: The Bruins have pulled Rask for the extra attacker while shorthanded.

So basically that makes it 5 on 5 again, except for that big open net behind them of course.

Third Period, 18:22, Sabres 3-2: The Bruins' comeback hopes just took a huge hit, as they'll finish this one shorthanded after Milan Lucic is called for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Third Period, 15:24, Sabres 3-2: Johnny Boychuk lands a beauty of a check on Andrej Sekera. At least there's something positive the Bruins can take out of this period.

Third Period, 12:44, Sabres 3-2: The Sabres nearly make it a two-goal game with a 3-on-1 rush, but Rask comes up with a huge save.

Third Period, 10:55, Sabres 3-2: Drew Stafford continues his memorable return to the lineup as he completes a hat trick with a goal just 12 seconds into the power play to give Buffalo its first lead of the night.

Jason Pominville's initial shot was blocked down in front, but Derek Roy shoveled it over to Stafford at the left post for shot behind Rask.

Third Period, 10:43, 2-2: Instead of Buffalo erasing the lead again, this time it's the referees, as Brad Marchand's goal is waved off and Shawn Thornton sent to the box for goalie interference after crashing into Miller in front of the crease before Marchand fired the puck home.

Huge momentum swing there, as the Bruins lose a goal and now must kill off a penalty.

Third Period, 6:53, 2-2: Once again, the Bruins give up the lead right away, as Stafford answers again with a one-timer from the slot to tie it back up.

This leads lasts just 32 seconds, after the first one stood up for 72 seconds in the first period.

Third Period, 6:21, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins finally convert on the power play, as Michael Ryder breaks down the middle, splits the defense, goes around Steve Montador and tucks in the shot behind Miller at the right post.

Kampfer picks up his first NHL point with an assist on the play.

Third Period, 5:04, 1-1: The Bruins draw another call, as Thornton is tripped up by Mike Weber in the Buffalo zone. Let's see if the bruins can do any better with the man-advantage this time.

Third Period, 3:28, 1-1: The Bruins can't convert on that chance and are now 0 for 4 on the power play on the night.

They had plenty of possession time in the zone, but once again there was too much passing around the perimeter and not enough shots on net or traffic in front.

Third Period, 1:28, 1-1: The Bruins go on the power play as Tim Connolly gets sent off for tripping.

Chara showed some discipline to not be drawn into a matching penalty in a scrum behind the net.

Third Period, 0:00, 1-1: And the final period is under way, though it might not be the final period the way this one has looked so far, with overtime looming as a possibility.

Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins will need to pull this one out in the third, as it remains tied through two periods.

Boston did outshoot Buffalo 12-9 in the second, though the Bruins trail 27-26 overall. Ten of Boston's shots have come from the energy line of Campbell, Marchand and Thornton. They've been good once again, but the rest of the lines need to start contributing as well.

Daniel Paille hasn't done much to show he belongs in the lineup over Tyler Seguin with no shots and no hits in 8:12 through two periods. Steven Kampfer, however, has earned every bit of ice-time he's getting, and he's getting plenty. he's third on the team behind only Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg, having played 12:55 already in this one with two shots and a hit.

End Second Period, 1-1: This one remains tied after 40 minutes as neither team could score in the second.

Second Period, 18:51, 1-1: Nathan Horton nearly fires one through Miller as he launches a one-timer from the slot, but Miller makes the save.

Second Period, 18:16, 1-1: The Bruins kill off the penalty, and nearly scored themselves in the closing seconds as Marchand set up Mark Recchi in front, the Bergeron had a bid down the right wing straight out of the box.

Second Period, 16:16, 1-1: The Bruins have another penalty to kill, and they'll be without one of their best penalty killers as Patrice Bergeron is called for hooking.

Second Period, 15:20, 1-1: Patrick Kaleta continues to hit, but this time he takes out his own teammate, colliding with Tyler Ennis.

Second Period, 12:46, 1-1: Thomas Vanek undresses McQuaid with a move off the left boards, but McQuaid recovers with a desperation poke-check from behind to help break up the scoring chance.

Second Period, 11:10, 1-1: The Bruins failed to convert on the two-man advantage, as the Sabres are now back at full strength. That's a huge missed opportunity for Boston.

Second Period, 9:10, 1-1: The Bruins have an even better chance now, as Tyler Myers is called for delay of game for sending the puck over the glass, and the Bruins have a 5-on-3 for 49 seconds.

Second Period, 7:59, 1-1: The Bruins get another chance on the power play, as Jochen Hecht gets sent off for hooking Greg Campbell.

Second Period, 5:48, 1-1: The Bruins come within inches of taking the lead again, but Zdeno Chara's blast clangs off the post.

Second Period, 5:14, 1-1: The energy line again supplying the best offensive pressure for the Bruins, as Shawn Thornton nearly scores on a wraparound.

Second Period, 2:16, 1-1: Johnny Boychuk with some nice defensive work to break up an attempted setup in front by Derek Roy.

Second Period, 0:00, 1-1: The middle frame is under way in Buffalo, with the Bruins again trying to establish a lead after letting their first one get away so quickly in the first.

First Intermission Notes: That wasn't exactly the period the Bruins were hoping for, as they gave up the momentum and couldn't hold onto the lead after getting the game's first goal.

Can't fault Rask on the goal, as he made the first two stops, but the Bruins never cleared the front of the net and Stafford banged home the third chance. That's the first tangible evidence of how much better Buffalo's offense can be with their forwards now healthy.

That power play also came after a very questionable boarding call on Lucic, who appeared to deliver a pretty clean hit.

Buffalo holds an 18-14 edge in shots and also leads in hits (7-5) and faceoffs (15-12). Greg Campbell (4-2) is the only Bruin over 50 percent on draws.

Adam McQuaid has shown no ill effects from Saturday's hit, as he's plus-1 with a hit and a shot so far. Steven Kampfer also has a hit and a shot and played 37 seconds on the power play after playing just six seconds on the man-advantage in his first two games.

End First Period, 1-1: The Bruins got the first goal which has been so critical to them this season, but the lead lasted all of 72 seconds before Buffalo tied it on the power play to go into the first intermission tied at 1-1.

First Period, 18:41, 1-1: The Sabres convert on this power play as Drew Stafford bangs home a rebound from the left crease after Derek Roy nearly put it home at the right post.

First Period, 17:49, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins now will have to kill off a penalty as Lucic is called for boarding.

First Period, 17:29, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins strike first as Dennis Seidenberg fires in a shot from the left boards that David Krejci redirects in front.

First Period, 15:35, 0-0: The Bruins were unable to convert the brief power play and the sides are now back at even strength.

It was nice to see Kampfer get a turn at the point on that power play though. The rookie has been impressive and obviously Julien likes what he's seen so far.

First Period, 13:35, 0-0: The Sabres don't maintain the man-advantage for long, as the Bruins nearly have a shorthanded breakaway. Wheeler sent a pass up to Krejci with a clear lane to the net, but he gets taken down by Stafford.

Stafford goes off for slashing, and it will be 4-on-4 for 1:09 before a brief Bruins power play.

First Period, 12:43, 0-0: The Sabres get the first power play of the night as Patrick Kaleta draws another call.

The Buffalo agitator finished a hit on Andrew Ference, who gets called for roughing for shoving him into the ice after the hit.

First Period, 10:50, 0-0: The Sabres threaten as Derek Roy bats down a center ice pass out of midair, leading to a Thomas Vanek break down the middle, but Rask makes the stop.

First Period, 8:20, 0-0: The Bruins have taken the crowd out of this one early as it's eerily quiet at the HSBC Arena. Maybe the fans just haven't thawed from the Buffalo weather yet.

First Period, 4:35, 0-0: Plenty of chances at both ends of the ice. After Rask made another big stop, the Bruins had a 2-on-1 chance as David Krejci is sprung with Milan Lucic off a pass by Steven Kampfer.

Krejci takes the shot from the right side, but Miller makes another save.

First Period, 3:55, 0-0: Blake Wheeler with a nice hustle play in transition, nearly surprises Miller with a bad angle shot from below the goal line.

First Period, 2:00, 0-0: Paille is out for his first shift with Marc Savard Michael Ryder as Paille plays again for Seguin. That line almost ends up a minus-1 right away, but Rask comes up with a big early save.

First Period, 0:30, 0-0: The Bruins start off strong with all kinds of pressure on the Sabres by the energy line, but Miller stands strong against several testing bids.

First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And this one is under way at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, where the Bruins open a brief but big two-road road trip against divisional rivals with a showdown with the Sabres in Buffalo.

7 p.m.: Get ready for some hitting early in this one, as Claude Julien is again starting the "energy line" of Brad Marchand, Greg Campbell and Shawn Thornton against Buffalo.

Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg will open on defense, with Tuukka Rask in net.

Buffalo counters with their toughest line of Cody McCormick, Paul Gaustad and Mike Grier up front, ex-Bruin Steve Montador and Jordan Leopold on the blue line and Ryan Miller in goal.

6:50 p.m.: Tyler Seguin is indeed a scratch for this one.

Daniel Paille will stay in the lineup for a second straight game to face his old club in Buffalo.

Mark Stuart (broken hand) is the only other Bruins scratch, while Shaone Morrisonn (concussion), Nathan Gerbe and Craig Rivet are out for the Sabres, who welcome back injured forwards Rob Niedermayer, Drew Stafford and Tim Connolly.

6:30 p.m.: Tuukka Rask and Ryan Miller led their teams out on the ice for warm-ups, so it looks like we'll get a rematch of last year's playoff matchup in goal as expected after the morning skates.

6 p.m.: The Sabres could also have some changes in their lineup in this one.

Injured forwards Rob Niedermayer (knee), Drew Stafford (shoulder) and Tim Connolly (groin) all returned to practice this week and are expected to play against the Bruins, who could be in for more of a challenge than their first trip to Buffalo when Boston rolled to a 5-2 win on Nov. 3.

5:30 p.m.: The Bruins will open their brief two-game road trip in Buffalo in just over 90 minutes, and they might be doing it with some changes in the lineup.

Tuukka Rask was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, indicating he's likely to get the start in this one. That's not exactly a shocking move with his past success against Buffalo (4-1-0, 1.43 GAA, .954 save percentage), and it would keep Tim Thomas fresh for Thursday's key clash in Montreal.

The other possible change would be more of a surprise, as Claude Julien stated after the morning skate that it would be a game-time decision whether Tyler Seguin or Daniel Paille would play in this one. Seguin sat out Saturday with what the team termed flu-like symptoms, but this would be a healthy scratch for the rookie if he doesn't play.

One rookie who will definitely dress is defenseman Steven Kampfer, who discussed making his first NHL road trip before departing on Tuesday.

Also check out our Facing Off feature for a complete breakdown on this matchup with the Sabres.

8 a.m.: After a successful 2-0-1 homestand last week, the Bruins head back out on the road for a brief but important two-game trip.

First up is a clash with the Sabres in Buffalo on Wednesday. The Sabres might not look like the most imposing of opponents with a 12-14-4 record and a 6-9-1 mark at home, but after a rough start, Buffalo has turned things around.

The Sabres are 4-2-1 in their last seven games and won three of their last four home games. The Bruins got by them 3-2 at the Garden last Tuesday, but it took overtime — and a video review of Mark Recchi's deflection of a Dennis Seidenberg shot — to pull that one out. This one promises to be equally competitive as the Bruins put their six-game point streak on the line.

The puck drops at 7 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.