Game 5 Preview: Bruins look to extend series in Buffalo

Game notes

• After an embarrassing showing on home ice in Game 4, the Bruins drag themselves to Buffalo facing a do-or-die Game 5 in what is sure to be a raucous building. Fortunately for the Bruins, this is not the Champions League or similar with aggregate scoring: as ugly as Sunday was, it’s one game (he tells himself, extremely convincingly).
• Nikita Zadorov avoided suspension for his crosscheck on Rasmus Dahlin, instead receiving a $5,000 fine. He should be available tonight, barring an unknown injury, though Marco Sturm wouldn’t commit to his availability after practice today.
• Sturm had no update on Viktor Arvidsson either. The B’s lines looked a little different at practice today, but per Conor Ryan, Sturm said to not put too much stock in those lines. Instead, it appears he’s still working through what the lineup will ultimately look like.
• The Bruins said all of the right things after practice today: they’re mad, they’re embarrassed, they’re competitive, it’s a one-game mission, etc. You can’t really ask for much more than that on an off day, but it rings pretty hollow after the no-show on Sunday.
• The Sabres have no fresh injury concerns or lineup machinations to continue, and why would they change a thing after Game 4? They did have a couple of guys who were held out down the stretch on Sunday, with Lindy Ruff indicating that was more due to the score than to serious injury concerns.
• The Bruins have elected to skip a morning skate Tuesday, instead jumping right into game action. Sturm will speak with the media shortly before 5 PM, so we’ll likely learn about whatever lineup he settles on then.
• At this point, it’s pretty clear that the Bruins aren’t going to win the talent/depth battle in this series. Given how Sunday shook out, you’d hope the B’s have more pride than to go out with a whimper. Last time this happened, they were able to extend the series in Florida before ultimately coming up short in Game 6.
• If the Bruins end up bringing the Sabres back to Boston with them, they’ll need guys like David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie, and Elias Lindholm to step up. Please, someone not on the fourth line score a goal. Anyone.
• Seriously, anyone will do. See ya tonight!