With losses in eight of their last ten games (2-7-1), the Boston Bruins look to snap out of their skid against the team that arguably started the downhill spiral the day after Christmas. In their first meeting of the 2015-16 season, the Buffalo Sabres came back from a 3-1 third period deficit and scored five unanswered goals for the 6-3 triumph.

Coach Claude Julien and company haven’t really been the same since, and those same third period woes from the Buffalo game were front and center in the last two meetings against the Rangers and Flyers. Tonight as they finish their five-game road trip in Buffalo, the Bruins hope to get a 60-minute effort against an improving, but still not ready for primetime Sabres.

Gametime: 7:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 21-16-5 (47 points), Sabres 17-22-4 (38 points)
Location: First Niagara Center

Bruins projected lines

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Brett Connolly
Matt Beleskey-Ryan Spooner-Loui Eriksson
Frank Vatrano-Joonas Kemppainen-Jimmy Hayes
Zac Rinaldo-Max Talbot-Landon Ferraro

Zdeno Chara-Zach Trotman
Dennis Seidenberg-Colin Miller
Torey Krug-Kevan Miller

Jonas Gustavsson
Tuukka Rask

Sabres projected lines

Evander Kane-Ryan O’Reilly-Jamie McGinn
Zemgus Girgensons-Jack Eichel-Sam Reinhart
Marcus Foligno-Johan Larsson-Brian Gionta
Matt Moulson-Tim Schaller-David Legwand

Josh Gorges-Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe-Zach Bogosian
Carlo Colaiacovo-Cody Franson

Robin Lehner
Chad Johnson

Matchup to watch: Jack Eichel vs. Bruins defense

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel struck for four points on two goals and two assists in his first ever meeting with the Bruins on December 26th. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

The Bruins defense is still a work in progress. That was evident in that third period collapse against Buffalo nearly three weeks ago where North Chelmsford native and former Boston University standout Jack Eichel tallied three of his four points in the final 20 minutes.

Like any rookie in the National Hockey League, Eichel is going through some peaks and valleys. Lately, he’s been one of the Sabres better performers tallying 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in his last 10 games. His four power play goals are tied with fellow teammate Sam Reinhart, Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and Lightning forward Jonathan Marchessault for first among rookies.

From communication breakdowns to lack of execution, the transitioning Bruins defense is in a deep rut, and GM Don Sweeney admitted to the Boston Herald that it is a work in progress. We’ll see if they provide any progress against Eichel and the Sabres tonight.

Storyline to watch: Can the Bruins avoid another third period collapse?

Following two straight collapses in the third period, head coach Claude Julien is looking for a complete 60-minute effort from his team. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

The most frustrating thing for Julien is seeing third period leads go by the wayside. He saw that first hand on numerous occasions in 2015-16, twice against the Flyers, once in New York on Monday and another against this same Sabres squad.

Whether it’s finishing their scoring chances, creating layers defensively, or getting timely saves from Tuukka Rask or Jonas Gustavsson, the Black and Gold need to find ways to close out games whenever they have a lead. Otherwise, they’ll be on the other end of the Eastern Conference’s pack of mediocrity when the season is all said and done.