Boston, Massachusetts - The Boston Bruins are inching closer and closer to a potential spot in the postseason after beating up the Sabres on Saturday afternoon.

The Buffalo Sabres didn't stand a chance against one of the NHL Eastern Division's better teams in the Bruins. Boston took control during the entire game and never let up, riding on the back of Craig Smith's (31) hat trick, all the way to an impressive 6-2 win at home.

The Bruins, who had a recent six-game winning streak snapped by the Sabres, definitely shored things up this time around. In their final meeting of the regular season, the Bruins made sure the difference between both teams was obvious.

Boston struck first in the opening minutes of the first period with Smith's first of his three goals in the game. The Sabres eventually answered back with a goal scored by Riley Sheahan, to even things up at 1-1. The Bruins got it back and pulled away with four more goals through the next two periods to build a commanding 5-1 lead, approaching the mid-way point of the third.

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The Sabres did score again with a goal by Arttu Ruotsalainen, but the game was out of their hands by then. Towards the final minutes of the game, Smith lit the lamp a third time for his second career hat trick.

David Krejci was also a factor with three assists, all on Smith's goals. Sean Kuraly, Nick Ritchie, and Patrice Bergeron each scored a goal for Boston.

On Monday, the Bruins head to New Jersey to face the Devils, while the Sabres are at home to take on the Islanders.

The game remained scoreless all throughout, until the shootout when the Red Wings got the surprising win over the Lightning 1-0. The Islanders shut out the Rangers for the second-straight night, this time 3-0, while the Devils got a big win over the Flyers 4-1.

The Penguins took back the top spot in the East over the Capitals, shutting them out 3-0. And the Hurricanes got away with the overtime victory, beating the Blue Jackets 2-1. The Canadiens squeaked out an overtime win of their own over the Senators 3-2.

Auston Matthews added to his league-leading 38 goals with two against the Canucks as the Maple Leafs win big 5-1. The Panthers got away with a close one, beating the Blackhawks 5-4, while the Blues fell in overtime to the Wild 4-3. The Stars also lost in overtime, 1-0 to the Predators.

The Avalanche held on to win against the Sharks 4-3. And the Flames fall to the Oilers 4-1. The Golden Knights get a win back from the Coyotes 3-2, while the Ducks were too much for the Kings, winning 6-2.

On Sunday, the league's only matchup of the day is between the Lightning and the Red Wings in Detroit.