UPDATE: The Boston Bruins are facing unexpected challenges ahead of their game against the Buffalo Sabres tonight at 7:08 PM due to a delayed flight. The Bruins arrived at KeyBank Center at 12:15 PM after their morning flight from Bedford/Hanscom was held up by severe traffic and required de-icing.
The team skipped their usual day-of-game skate, opting instead for a brief stretching session before heading to a nearby hotel for food and rest. “These days are always kind of tough,” said defenseman Charlie McAvoy. “There’s just things that are going to be out of your control. We’ll be fine.”
This game marks the Bruins’ 39th matchup of the season, as they strive to rebound from a disappointing stretch where they lost four consecutive games, including a disappointing performance against the Canadiens where they allowed four goals in the final period. McAvoy emphasized the importance of mental readiness: “Everyone should be excited to come back. We talked about our goals for the second half of the year.”
The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement mandated that teams could not travel until the holiday break concluded, adding to the unpredictability of game-day logistics. Coach Marco Sturm acknowledged the mental challenge posed by the day’s disruptions, stating, “It’s going to be a little bit of a challenge, that’s for sure.”
In net, Joonas Korpisalo is set to return, having not played since allowing five goals on 17 shots in a previous loss. Meanwhile, the Bruins will miss Tanner Jeannot, who is sidelined due to an undisclosed injury. On a positive note, injured defensemen Jonathan Aspirot and Henri Jokiharju are traveling with the team, hinting at potential returns in the near future.
As the game approaches, fans and players alike are eager to see if the Bruins can shake off their recent struggles and regain their winning form against the Sabres. Stay tuned for live updates as the game unfolds.
