The Boston Bruins suffered an embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 28. With the Sabres at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, this was a winnable game for Boston, but they were blown out instead.

The lead lasted all of 55 seconds. The B’s top line got hemmed in its own end for much of the shift and, after it finally pushed it out of the zone, the players got caught in a change. On a Sabre 4-on-3, Matt Poitras got lost out high and Dylan Cozens connected with the wide-open trailer Thompson, who ripped a slapper past Swayman.

Boston Bruins left wing Cole Koepke (45) collides with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the crease during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) AP

The Sabres return home for an Atlantic Division showdown. The Buffalo Sabres face the Boston Bruins on Tuesday at KeyBank Center, aiming to put their 1-3-0 road trip, which ended with a 3-2 loss Saturday in Edmonton, behind them.

This is because forward Cole Koepke will be back in the lineup after missing each of the Bruins' last five games. On defense, the Bruins could be even more shorthanded, however. Brandon Carlo has been labeled a game-time decision due to an illness.