LOADING

Type to search

  • Game Day Preview: Bruins at Sabres

    Game Day

    Game Day Preview: Bruins at Sabres

    Tim Rosenthal February 4, 2016
    Share

    If there’s anything to learn from the 2015-16 season, it’s that nothing comes easy with the Boston Bruins. Their wins haven’t been all that spectacular. Some of their losses, however, are quite head scratching. That includes their recent defeat against the Maple Leafs where the Black and Gold blew a 3-1 third period lead in their 4-3 overtime loss Tuesday night at TD Garden.

    Tonight, the Bruins, who are 15-5-3 on the road, travel to Buffalo to face an improving, but still rebuilding Sabres squad. Jack Eichel and company are coming off a 4-2 win in Montreal last night. The B’s are hoping to take advantage of the wary Sabres as they play their second game of a back to back.

    Each team has a victory in the first two games. The Sabres, like the Leafs, came from two goals down in the third period in their win over the Bruins the day after Christmas, while the Black and Gold downed Buffalo, 4-1, to complete their five-game road trip in the middle of January.

    Will the Bruins be able to take care of business against a team beneath them in the standings and improve their playoff positioning? Or will their past come back to haunt them?

    Gametime: 7:00 p.m.
    TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
    Records: Bruins 26-18-6 (58 points), Sabres 21-26-4 (46 points)
    Location: First Niagara Center

    Bruins projected lines

    Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Brett Connolly
    David Pastrnak-David Krejci-Loui Eriksson
    Matt Beleskey-Ryan Spooner-Jimmy Hayes
    Zac Rinaldo-Max Talbot-Landon Ferraro

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

    Tuukka Rask
    Jonas Gustavsson

    Sabres projected lines

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

    Rasmus Ristolainen-Josh Gorges
    Zach Bogosian-Mark Pysyk
    Jake McCabe-Cody Franson

    Chad Johnson
    Robin Lehner

    Matchup to watch: Bruins-SabresĀ third line

    Bruins at Sabres

    For the second game in a row, Ryan Spooner will center Matt Beleskey and Jimmy Hayes on the third line. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

    With Ryan Spooner back centering the third line, the Bruins have a little more depth back in their bottom six. The 2010 second round pick played well in the absence of David KrejciĀ and is proving to be an everyday NHL player. Whether Jimmy Hayes and Matt Beleskey can benefit from Spooner’s presence on the third line remains to be seen.

    In last night’s win over the Habs, the Sabres third line contributed in pivotal moments. Johan Larsson scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third periodĀ while ex-Canadiens captain Brian Gionta delivered the empty netter to seal the victory against his former team.

    Points are at a premium at this stage of the season for the Bruins. They’ll need contributions from everyone — and not just the top two lines — if they want to stay in contention for a playoff spot. This matchup tonight could help determine whether or not the Bruins come out of Buffalo with two points in the first game of the home and home series, which concludes Saturday night at TD Garden.

    Storyline to watch:Ā Which Bruins team shows up against the Sabres?

    Bruins at Sabres

    Zdeno Chara and the rest of the Bruins look to get a full 60-minute effort tonight in Buffalo. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

    When they’re away from Causeway Street, the Bruins are a much different team. That version — albeit a little late to the party — showed up in the second meeting of the season against the Sabres where they were propelled by three third period goals after overcoming a 1-0 deficit.

    It hasn’t all been perfect for the Bruins on the road, though. Before the win in Buffalo, the Bruins blew third period leads against the Rangers and Flyers in the third and fourth games of their road trip.

    As cliche as it sounds, the Bruins have to get a full 60-minute effort from everybody, something that they’ve rarely done this season. Otherwise, Claude Julien and company will be left scratching their heads, again.

    Facebook Comments
    Tags:
    Tim Rosenthal

    Tim Rosenthal serves as the Managing Editor of Bruins Daily. He started contributing videos to the site in 2010 before fully coming on board during the Bruins' Stanley Cup run in 2011. His bylines over the last decade have been featured on Boston.com, FoxSports.com, College Hockey News, Patch and Inside Hockey. You can follow Tim on Twitter @_TimRosenthal.

      1

    You Might also Like

    Leave a Comment