The Bruins became the fastest team to reach 100 points in NHL history

BOSTON — David Pasternak scored a goal and two assists just hours after signing a new contract, and the rookie Boston Bruins became the fastest team in NHL history to reach 100 points with a 7-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabers on Thursday night.

Jacob Lauko scored twice, Dmitry Orlov added a goal and two assists, and Jeremy Swaiman stopped 26 shots as the Bruins overcame the loss of Brad Marchand to a lower body injury to claim their ninth straight win.

The Boston team improved to 48-8-5 in its 61st game, besting the Montreal team from 1976-77 that reached 100 points in 62 games when there were regulation ties and no extra points for wins in overtime or shootouts. The Bruins have seven points against overtime and shootout victories at 101 points.

Pavel Zacha, Patrice Bergeron and Connor Clifton added goals for Boston.

“It was really amazing to watch them want to be great,” said coach Jim Montgomery.

Casey Mittelstadt scored for Buffalo and Oku-Pekka Lokonen stopped 35 shots. But his unusual penalty led to Orlov’s powerful goal and turned the tide of the game as the Sabers lost their second straight goal.

The victory capped an eventful day for the Bruins. They acquired Tyler Bertuzzi from Detroit and signed Pastrnak to an eight-year, $90 million contract.

“It may have taken a little longer than we hoped, but we’ve finally reached the finish line,” said Cam Neely, Boston principal. “We are happy to have him for another eight years.”

Pasternak directed the lone penalty against Lokonen in the second period and then assisted on the next goal. He scored his 43rd goal on an empty net in a five-goal Boston third period that also saw him get his 40th assist.

Dubbed a good “sandpaper” guy by Montgomery, Bertuzzi will help fill the roles of fellow wingers Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno. Hall was placed on extended injured reserve and Foligno regular IR.

Last week, GM Don Sweeney acquired Orloff and Garnett Hathaway in a deal with Washington. Orloff has three goals and five assists in four games since the trade.

However, Marchand’s extended absence would hurt Boston. He took a big hit in the second half and didn’t come back for the third.

“We think he’s going to be fine,” said Montgomery.

The Sabers, who lost stellar offensive lineman Alex Toch (lower body) last week, are again without defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. He was placed on injured reserve, backdated to Friday, opening up a roster spot for fullback Riley Stillman, who he acquired Monday from Vancouver.

Stillman made an immediate impression, striking out five hits in a scoreless first period.

It remained stalemate until Luukkonen was called for tripping as Pastrnak attempted to hit him while skating alone.

“It was an unfortunate call,” coach Dan Granato said. “Obviously the umpires thought it was a trip. Lukey went out and played the ball, but that’s what happens. You’ll have challenges like that, but it was clearly a momentum swing.”

Orlov scored a timed touchdown on the next 4-on-3, and Lauko hit a fat rebound 1:26 later to make it 2-0.

Buffalo, in the struggle for one of the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, could not recover.