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Struggling Bruins ‘rewarded’ with a much-needed victory over Sabres

Boston Bruins v Buffalo Sabres

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 15: Ryan Spooner #51 and Matt Beleskey #39 of the Boston Bruins celebrate a goal against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on January 15, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. Boston defeated Buffalo 4-1. (Photo by Jen Fuller/NHLI via Getty Images)

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The struggling Boston Bruins needed that. They needed a win. Against the Buffalo Sabres, that’s exactly what they accomplished.

That’s only the second win of January for Boston, and the club’s recent slide has it precariously in a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. After falling behind in the first period, the Bruins scored four unanswered goals -- Ryan Spooner had a three-point night and Zdeno Chara scored the winner -- to defeat the Sabres 4-1 on Friday.

Sabres’ goalie Robin Lehner started his first game since Oct. 8, when he suffered a high-ankle sprain, and made 27 saves on 30 shots.

“We knew tonight’s game was going to be a big game for us. We wanted to finish strong,” said Chara, as per the Associated Press.

“And that’s what we did. We were able to score goals, maintain the same play, be aggressive on pucks, kept up the high pace. So that’s pretty much why we got rewarded, and we got two points.”

Two points keep the Bruins in a Wild Card spot. As you can see below, the margin for error is growing smaller and smaller.

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As for the Sabres, Zemgus Girgensons left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return.