Bergeron’s goal 47 seconds into OT lifts Bruins over Sabres 2-1

Bergeron scores in OT as Bruins beat Sabres 2-1

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Patrice Bergeron scored with 47 seconds into overtime, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

Bergeron won a faceoff and then was in the slot to tip in a shot by Zdeno Chara.

Buffalo outshot Boston 15-6 in the third period and had several good chances to take a lead against goalie Tuukka Rask, who made his third straight start.

Rask stopped 25 shots, including a point-blank save on Thomas Vanek 3 minutes into the third and a blocker stop on Jochen Hecht’s snap shot from the left circle with about 4 minutes remaining.

Buffalo’s Ryan Miller made 24 saves, including 14 in the second period. Paul Gaustad scored for Buffalo, which has lost two straight.

Milan Lucic, who returned to the Boston lineup on Thursday after missing 14 games with a broken finger, scored his first of the season. The Bruins won back-to-back games for the second time.

Gaustad opened the scoring 4:20 into the first period, parking himself in the slot and tipping in Jason Pominville’s shot from the blue line.

Lucic converted a 2-on-1, give-and-go with Byron Bitz midway through the second period to tie the game. Bitz delivered a perfect cross-ice pass to Lucic, who was charging in from the left.

NOTES: Buffalo and Boston have played only four games apiece against Northeast Division opponents. … The Sabres had won four straight at home against the Bruins. … Buffalo D Toni Lydman played in his first game since Oct. 21. … Rask’s starting streak is the longest of his 13-game NHL career. … Boston is halfway through its four-game road trip, which continues with games at St. Louis and Minnesota on Monday and Wednesday.