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, N.Y.

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

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.

Trying to bounce back from yet another brutal loss, the Bruins could be getting their best all-around defenseman back for Thursday's game against the Jets.

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.

For this matchup against the Sabres, the Bruins' forward group will be getting a boost. This is because forward Cole Koepke will be back in the lineup after missing each of the Bruins' last five games.

The Bruins, back in the playoff hunt after a 5-1-1 stretch, take on a Sabres team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

The Sabres return home for an Atlantic Division showdown. The Buffalo Sabres face the Boston Bruins on Tuesday at KeyBank Center, aiming to put their 1-3-0 road trip, which ended with a 3-2 loss Saturday in Edmonton, behind them.

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.

With the trade speculation intensifying after the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen deal, here are some thoughts on some possible Bruin trade chips.

The current playoff odds don't favor the Bruins. But even with Boston looking at an arduous road, they're embracing the challenge.