The Boston Bruins suffered an embarrassing 7-0 loss to the Washington Capitals to open the 2018-19 NHL season on Wednesday night, but they won’t have to wait long to put that defeat behind them.
The B’s are back on the ice Thursday night in Buffalo to take on a Sabres team that has struggled mightily over the last five or so seasons.
The Sabres are led by Jack Eichel, their newly promoted captain and No. 1 center who has played well against his hometown team, tallying seven points (three goals, four assists) in 10 career games against the B’s.
Boston will start Jaroslav Halak in net. It’s the veteran goalie’s first start for the Bruins since he signed with them as a free agent during the offseason. He did, however, play in Wednesday’s loss after Tuukka Rask gave up five goals in less than two periods.
Here are the projected lineups for both teams:
BOSTON BRUINS (0-1-0)
Brad Marchand–Patrice Bergeron–David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk–David Krejci–Danton Heinen
Ryan Donato–Sean Kuraly–David Backes
Joakim Nordstrom–Noel Acciari–Chris Wagner
Zdeno Chara–Charlie McAvoy
John Moore–Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk–Kevan Miller
Jaroslav Halak
BUFFALO SABRES (0-0-0)
Jeff Skinner–Jack Eichel–Sam Reinhart
Conor Sheary–Patrik Berglund–Tage Thompson
Vladimir Sobotka–Casey Mittelstadt–Kyle Okposo
Zemgus Girgensons–Evan Rodrigues–Jason Pominville
Marco Scandella–Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe–Rasmus Dahlin
Nathan Beaulieu–Casey Nelson
Carter Hutton
