BOSTON — Because his English comes slowly and carefully, there’s an easy misconception that Bruins forward Marat Khusnutdinov is timid or lacks confidence.

Nikita Zadorov, Khustnutdinov’s friend, fellow Russian and his hockey big brother, set the record straight quickly.

Khusnutdinov does not lack for self-esteem.

“He’s pretty confident,” Zadorov said. “As soon as they put him on the first line, he’s been making plays. He’s keeping the puck. He’s on every puck, really hungry. He’s a good player. So I don’t think that guy is lacking confidence at all.”

That inner belief showed itself as he carried the puck on the left side of a three-on-one rush in overtime. He had Fraser Minten and Hampus Lindholm with him, but Khusnutdinov never hesitated. He snapped a wrist shot by Sabres goalie Alex

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