Bruins vs. Sabres Preview: Home and home

Just the facts

When: 7 PM

Where: KeyBank Center - Buffalo, NY

How to follow: NESN, MSGB, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SBN site: Die by the Blade

Where do they stand?

Bruins: 18-15-4, 3rd in Atlantic

Sabres: 13-13-8, 7th in Atlantic

Leaders

• Rasmus Ristolainen - 3G, 21A, 24PTS
• Kyle Okposo - 9G, 13A, 22PTS

Game notes

• The Sabres are pumping this one up as a make-or-break set, which is kind of weird for games in December, but hey, whatever.
• Buffalo was dealt a blow earlier this week when Ryan O’Reilly underwent an appendectomy, putting him out indefinitely.
• Jack Eichel is still very good.
• Will the Bruins shuffle their lineup? Probably. Tim Schaller and Noel Acciari have sat out a few games in a row now, and the fourth line didn’t exactly set the world aflame on Tuesday night. Don’t be surprised if one or both find their way in for Anton Blidh or Jimmy Hayes.
• Tuukka Rask owns Buffalo. In his last game vs. the Sabres, Rask stopped 35 of 36 shots for a 2-1 win. In his career, Rask is 11-5-1 with a .933 save percentage. Not bad.
• This is the first game of a home-and-home, so get used to the Sabres.

Never forget

Look, I’m never going to pass up a chance to post Big Money Wides.