Bruins' Hall in fine form before trio with Sabres
Things didn't work out for Taylor Hall during his brief time with the Buffalo Sabres. However, he's already paying dividends for the Boston Bruins.
Returning to Buffalo for the first time since being traded earlier this month, Hall looks to continue his solid play for the streaking Bruins on Tuesday night. Boston has won four straight games heading into the first of three straight meetings with the Sabres over four days.
Hall, the 2018 Hart Trophy winner, was Buffalo's most notable 2020-21 off-season acquisition, but he scored just two goals while adding 17 assists over 37 games for the Sabres. Since being dealt to Boston, along with Curtis Lazar for Anders Bjork and a second-round draft pick on April 12, Hall has already matched that goal total and also has an assist through four games.
The Bruins, owners of the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division, have won all four games since Hall arrived. His Bruins tenure began April 13 with a 3-2 home shootout victory over the Sabres, who are 0-6-2 in this series since recording a 4-2 win at Boston on Dec. 16, 2018.
“We all know that his skill level is really high,” new teammate David Pastrnak told NBC Sports Boston about Hall.
“It's been really nice to have him, and he's been playing unbelievable for us so far. We're really happy to have him here.”
Hall assisted on David Krejci's second goal of the game during Boston's 6-3 win over Washington on Sunday. Hall will get reacquainted with his former club when the teams face off Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, all in Buffalo.
Even though Buffalo sits last in the East and will miss the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season, the team is 6-3-2 since that franchise record 18-game winless rut (0-15-3), and currently is enjoying a 3-1-1 stretch following Sunday's 4-2 victory over Pittsburgh. Sam Reinhart scored two of his team-leading 17 goals against the Penguins.
“We're in a position where we've got nothing to lose,” said Reinhart, who has six goals with four assists over a 13-game stretch. “So, we're out there trying to play fast. (Just) play hockey. That's all we really do at this point.”