Sure, the Boston Bruins were without three of their top defensemen – Charlie McAvoy (wrist), Hampus Lindholm (knee) and Brandon Carlo (ill) – but Boston’s overall defense was terrible during a 7-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo,

The Bruins host the Jets on Thursday. Lindholm, who is currently on Long Term Injured Reserve has been out since suffering a lower-body injury on Nov. 12 against the Blues. McAvoy had been out since Jan. 11 with an undisclosed injury.

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

Lindholm remains on long-term injured reserve and will miss his 35th straight game against Buffalo on Tuesday. However, he is progressing toward a return. Lindholm has three goals, seven points, 35 shots on net and 17 blocked shots across 17 appearances this season.

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.

From the top down, there was nothing for the Boston Bruins to be proud of in their lifeless effort at KeyBank Center, where they lost 7-2 to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.

This is exciting news for the Bruins, as Lindholm and McAvoy are two of their top defenders. Skating in regular jerseys is a major step in the right direction for the pair. However, they won't be back in the lineup just yet, as head coach Joe Sacco said they won't be options against the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 28.

The Western Conference-leading Jets have won four straight after starting the current tripwith a 4-1 Tuesday win over the Montreal Canadiens and now turn their attention to clinching a season series sweep of the Bruins, who they trounced 8-1 back on Dec. 10.

Boston was thumped in Buffalo on Tuesday, and the return of McAvoy – out since Jan. 11 with a wrist injury – will certainly help.

The good news for the Bruins is that three of the next four games will be at the oh-so-friendly Garden. The bad news? Those opponents they’ll on Causeway Street are no pushovers. That starts on Thursday with the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets,

The Boston Bruins suffered an embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Sabres in Buffalo Tuesday night and are now 1-7-1 on the road since Christmas. They don’t seem to have any answers for why they’ve been so much worse on the road than at home.