Boston @ Buffalo preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2019 ) Buffalo 2, Boston 3

Despite winning only once during a 2 1/2-week tailspin this month, the Boston Bruins are in possession of a comfortable nine-point lead over Toronto atop the Atlantic Division and have lost only once in regulation at home. The Bruins return from the Christmas break with a visit to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night in the first half of a home-and-home series.

Boston had dropped eight out of nine games (1-4-4) before breaking out for a 7-3 romp over nemesis Washington in its final game before the three-day hiatus. "We're not even halfway through the year, we're at 53 points in and sitting at a pretty good spot," forward Brad Marchand said. "I think a lot of people are making a lot of noise outside of the room that was blowing it a bit out of proportion. ... We're not panicking here." Buffalo has dropped four of five overall and has struggled mightily on the road, losing 15 of 21 (6-11-4), but it owns an 11-3-3 mark at KeyBank Center. "For us, the important thing at this point in time is to be a part of the race," coach Ralph Krueger said. "We're definitely there, because we believe we're only going to get better here."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportnets Pacific, NESN (Boston), MSG-Buffalo

ABOUT THE BRUINS (22-7-9): Boston could be dealing with some injury issues after defensemen Torey Krug and Charlie McAvoy both had to exit Monday's game after absorbing hard hits. "We’ll see how he is," coach Bruce Cassidy said of Krug. "Obviously didn’t come back so that’s always a concern, but until he gets looked at further we won’t know. "Charlie ... he seems to be okay. But again, until he gets looked at." Captain Zdeno Chara is expected back after sitting out Monday due to a surgical procedure on his jaw.

ABOUT THE SABRES (17-14-7): Jeff Skinner scored a career-high 40 goals last season -- his first with Buffalo -- but is stuck on 11 tallies thus far while collecting only a pair of assists over his last 10 games. Captain Jack Eichel was in the midst of a torrid stretch, registering points in 18 consecutive games (16 goals, 16 assists) before he was held off the scoresheet in Monday's 3-1 setback at Ottawa. Eichel, who played collegiately at Boston University, has five goals and 12 points in 14 games against the Bruins.

OVERTIME

1. Sabres G Linus Ullmark fell to 1-2-0 with seven goals allowed following a 3-2 loss at Boston on Nov. 21.

2. Marchand, who snapped a 12-game goal drought Monday, scored twice last month versus Buffalo.

3. Sabres F Johan Larsson (upper body) is expected to rejoin the lineup after missing the past two games.

PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Sabres 2