Bruins Preparing For ‘Big Challenge’ Against Sabres After Travel Issue

The Boston Bruins know they have to be on their A-game to get the win on Saturday, especially after some travel issues.

Boston returns after the Holiday break to take on the Buffalo Sabres on the road. Buffalo is riding a seven-game winning streak. The Sabres have plenty of confidence, and Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said it will be a big challenge for his team.

‘They’re very skilled,” Sturm said pregame on Saturday. “Lots of speed. Won seven in a row. I think that alone says it all. I think we always matched up pretty good.

“But again, they’ve been on a hot streak. Will be a big challenge tonight. We have to come together again as a unit. On the ice, off the ice. I think that’s where we played our best hockey.”

The Bruins entered the break on a four-game losing streak, with all four losses coming at home.

Meanwhile, Boston had to fly into Buffalo on Saturday morning, and due to the weather, the team was unable to have a morning skate. Sturm knows that adds to the challenge of preparing for the game, but he still has confidence in his group.

“It’s going to be a big challenge,” Sturm added. “Things happened here this morning at the airport, so the guys didn’t skate for almost four days. Hopefully, we go through this game without injury. We are asking a lot from the guys to come in and be ready to play. It’s not going to be easy. …

“We want to leave here with two points, so, mentally, it’s going to be a challenge.”

The Bruins will also be turning to Joonas Korpisalo in net. Puck-drop is set for 7 p.m. ET, while pregame coverage begins on NESN at 6 p.m. ET.