NHL: Alex Tuch's goal gives Sabres 2-1 series lead over Bruins

Alex Tuch scored the go-ahead goal 4:03 into the third period, lifting the visiting Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday night.

The win marked the second consecutive road victory in the best-of-seven series, with Buffalo now holding a 2-1 advantage.

Noah Östlund and Bowen Byram each recorded a goal and an assist for the Sabres. Alex Lyon made 24 saves in his first start of the postseason.

Tanner Jeannot scored the lone goal for Boston, while Jeremy Swayman stopped 25 shots in the loss.

Hurricanes 2, Senators 1

Logan Stankoven scored for the third straight game as the Carolina Hurricanes pushed the Ottawa Senators to the brink of elimination with a 2-1 win in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Carolina now leads the best-of-seven series 3-0, a deficit that only four NHL teams have ever overcome in playoff history.

Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes, while Taylor Hall added two assists. Frederik Andersen made 21 saves in net.

Drake Batherson scored for Ottawa, which has not held a lead at any point through the first three games of the series. Linus Ullmark stopped 25 shots in the defeat.

Avalanche 4, Kings 2

Artturi Lehkonen recorded a goal and an assist to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a road win over the Los Angeles Kings, putting Colorado one victory away from a sweep in their Western Conference first-round series.

Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar, and Brock Nelson also scored for the Avalanche, who can close out the best-of-seven series in Game 4 on Sunday in Los Angeles. Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves in goal.

Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe scored for the Kings, who have managed just four goals through three games. Anton Forsberg stopped 19 shots, while Alex Laferriere contributed two assists.

— Field Level Media / Reuters