Bruins at Sabres
THE STORY: The surging Boston Bruins can match their longest winning streak in nearly three years when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night. After stumbling out of the gate and hearing whispers of a Stanley Cup hangover, Boston has quieted such talk by ripping off nine consecutive victories – its longest stretch since winning 10 straight from Dec. 12, 2008 to Jan. 1, 2009. Among the Bruins' victims in that stretch were the Sabres, who were run over by Boston – literally – in a 6-2 rout on Nov. 12. That game was more memorable for Bruins winger Milan Lucic flattening Buffalo netminder Ryan Miller, giving the former Vezina Trophy winner a concussion. Miller, who called Lucic “gutless” for the hit, has been sidelined since that game. With the league opting not to discipline Lucic for the play, emotions figure to be at a boil at First Niagara Center.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NESN, MSG
ABOUT THE BRUINS (12-7-0): While Boston’s offense has been the driving force in the winning streak, goaltender Tim Thomas took center stage by recording his second straight shutout and third in five games in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Montreal. He has won his last six starts. Defenseman Andrew Ference had the only goal for the Bruins, who have outscored the opposition 42-14 in their perfect November run. Boston has allowed one goal in its last three games.
ABOUT THE SABRES (12-8-0): Buffalo - and goaltender Jonas Enroth in particular - has enjoyed a much-needed three days off after playing six games in nine days. Enroth has alternated wins and losses in starting four straight games since Miller's injury. Despite pouring 45 shots on net, the Sabres fell 4-2 to Phoenix on Saturday to slip to 4-6-0 at First Niagara. Defenseman Tyler Myers underwent surgery for a broken wrist Tuesday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
OVERTIME:
1. Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek has 24 goals and 21 assists in 41 games against Boston.
2. Lucic had a five-game points streak entering the last matchup with Buffalo but has only one assist since.
3. The Sabres rank second in the league in penalty killing with a success rate of 90.3 percent (7-for-72).