After putting together a strong showing at home last week, the Bruins snuffed out all of them momentum with an ugly loss to Buffalo.

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

Their absence was evident in a disgusting loss against one of the worst teams in the NHL. Boston has always lived by the next-man-up mantra, but it was non-existent against the Sabres. To be fair, the Bruins entered the game with a 5-1-1 record in the previous seven games without McAvoy or Lindholm.

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.