The Boston Bruins faced a challenging travel day as they arrived in Buffalo later than expected for their matchup against the Sabres. Their charter flight from Bedford/Hanscom was delayed for a few hours due to de-icing and heavy traffic at the airport. As a result, the team did not have their usual game-day practice on the ice.
Travel Delays Impact Bruins
The Bruins arrived at KeyBank Center at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, just hours before the scheduled puck drop at 7:08 p.m. Despite the delays, team president Cam Neely stated that the situation was manageable. Players, including defenseman Charlie McAvoy, acknowledged the difficulties of same-day travel, comparing it to preseason conditions.
- Team arrived later than planned due to flight delays.
- No morning skate; players stretched instead.
- The first puck drop was scheduled for 7:08 p.m.
Bruins Looking to Turn Season Around
This game marked the Bruins’ 39th of the season, following a tough stretch in which they lost four consecutive games, including a disappointing defeat to the Canadiens. McAvoy expressed optimism, emphasizing the team’s goals for the upcoming matches.
Joonas Korpisalo returned as the starting goaltender. This was after a prior difficult outing against the Senators, where he allowed five goals. Tanner Jeannot, a key player, was absent due to an undisclosed injury sustained in the previous game.
Injuries and Recoveries
Defensemen Jonathan Aspirot and Henri Jokiharju traveled with the team, although their participation in games remains uncertain. Sturm indicated a slight improvement in their recovery status, moving from week-to-week to day-to-day timelines.
- Joonas Korpisalo returns to goal after a rough performance.
- Tanner Jeannot is sidelined with injury.
- Aspirot and Jokiharju are recovering but likely won’t play in the upcoming series.
Overall, the Bruins were focused on preparing for their matchup against the Sabres, seeking to regain their momentum after a challenging start to the year.
