The Bruins missed an opportunity to jump to first place in the Atlantic Division before the NHL’s three-day holiday break in a 2-0 loss to the Blues on Tuesday. But not all was lost after the Canadiens dropped their fifth straight game in a 2-1 loss to the Wild in Minnesota.

The same scenario holds true for the Bruins tonight. A win over an improved Sabres squad who hasn’t played in six days and a Habs loss against the red-hot Washington Capitals will put the Black and Gold in first place in the Atlantic. The B’s, who have three games in hand on Les Habitants, face a three-game in four night stretch — including a home and home with the Senators that begins tomorrow — before the Winter Classic.

Gametime: 7:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 19-10-4 (42 points), Sabres 14-16-4 (32 points)
Location: TD Garden

Bruins projected lines:

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Brett Connolly
Matt Beleskey-David Krejci-Loui Eriksson
Frank Vatrano-Ryan Spooner-Jimmy Hayes
Zac Rinaldo-Landon Ferraro-Tyler Randell

Zdeno Chara-Adam McQuaid
Dennis Seidenberg-Colin Miller
Torey Krug-Kevan Miller

Jonas Gustavsson
Tuukka Rask

Sabres projected lines:

Jamie McGinn-Ryan O’Reilly-Sam Reinhart
Evander Kane-Jack Eichel-Tyler Ennis
Zemgus Girgensons-Johan Larsson-Brian Gionta
Nicolas Deslauriers-David Legwand-Matt Moulson

Josh Gorges-Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe-Zach Bogosian
Mike Weber-Cody Franson

Chad Johnson
Linus Ullmark

Matchup to watch: Jonas Gustavsson vs. Chad Johnson

Jonas Gustavsson gets the start for the Bruins against the Sabres tonight. (Photo by Angela Spagna, Bruins Daily)

Tonight’s goaltending duel features this year’s Bruins backup vs. a former Bruins No. 2 who is carving his own niche in another new home.

Following last year’s struggles with the Bruins’ backup goaltending position, Jonas Gustavsson solidified that situation and is doing well whenever Claude Julien calls his number. His last start came six days ago where he battled Cory Schneider in a goaltending duel and made 29 saves during the Black and Gold’s second shootout win of the season. With Tuukka Rask likely to get the next few starts, including the Winter Classic, Gustavsson, who sports a 6-2-1 record with a 2.42 goals against average and a save percentage of .912, will look to end his 2015 calendar year on a high note.

Gustavsson will have another tall task ahead of him, however, as he faces one of the hottest goalies in the league in Johnson. Since the beginning of November, the former Bruin is 6-3-2 with a .942 SV% and 1.71 goals against average in 13 games. That span also includes a 44-save shutout against the Ducks — his fourth of his career — that set a franchise record for most saves in a regular season blanking.

It may not be a marquee matchup on paper, but Johnson (9-9-2, 2.31 GAA, .918 SV% this season) vs. Gustavsson should still be entertaining.

Storyline to watch: Jack Eichel returns to Boston

Jack Eichel meets with the media in his return to Boston. pic.twitter.com/O1rg9yiXIN

— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) December 26, 2015

The only thing missing from Eichel’s trophy case last year was the national championship. The one-year sensation captured every individual hardware imaginable last season, including the coveted Hobey Baker Award given to the best college hockey player in the nation. His stellar performance with the Terriers, which included an a Beanpot, Hockey East championship and an appearance in the National Title game, and development growth led him to the Sabres selecting Eichel with the second overall pick in June.

The 19-year old from North Chelmsford has gone through his share of struggles in his rookie season tallying 16 points (9 goals, 7 assists) and a minus-six rating through 34 games. After being held without a point for a season-long five straight games, Eichel has bounced back with an assist in each of his last two games. He enters tonight’s game looking to match a season-long three-game point streak.

Although Eichel’s consistency has plagued him at times, there’s no denying that he has unlimited potential. He may not be making an immediate impact, but there’s no denying that there’s a bright future for Eichel and the Sabres in Buffalo.