Rask makes 31 saves and Backes scores in return from suspension for Boston.
By Matt Kalman / NHL.com Correspondent
BOSTON, MA. — Tuukka Rask made 31 saves to help the Boston Bruins win their fourth straight game, 2-1 against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden on Saturday.
Chris Wagner and David Backes scored for Boston (24-14-4), which matched its longest winning streak of the season.
Rasmus Ristolainen scored, and Linus Ullmark made 39 saves for Buffalo (22-14-6), which has lost 4 of its past 5 games (1-3-1).
Wagner thought he gave the Bruins a lead 20 seconds into the first period, but the goal was disallowed because of goaltender interference against Sean Kuraly. The call was upheld after video review.
But Wagner took advantage of his second chance to make it 1-0 when Noel Acciari found him in the slot at 10:10.
Backes, who returned from a three-game suspension, extended the lead to 2-0 at 2:00 of the second period.
Ristolainen ended Rask’s shutout at 17:22 of the third period for the 2-1 final.