Before they ring in the new year and address their needs for 2017, the Bruins look to end 2016 on a high note with their second game of the home and home with the Sabres. This will mark the final time that the Atlantic Divisional rivals meet in the regular season.

Coming off a physical and spirited 4-2 win in which they were nearly doomed by another slow start – after trailing 2-0 in the first – the Bruins will look for a full 60-minute effort. They will be without David Backes, who is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury after taking a hit to the head from William Carrier. Ironically enough, Carrier will not suit up for the Sabres as he is out with a hand injury.

After a physical contest on Thursday, there could be a carryover effect with two teams looking to make their footing in the early season playoff picture. The Bruins come into today sitting in that all-important third spot in the Atlantic. A regulation loss and a Tampa Bay win over Carolina, however, would put the Lightning in the third spot entering the new year.

Gametime: 1:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 19-15-4 (42 points), Sabres 13-14-8 (34 points)
Location: TD Garden

Bruins projected lines

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Ryan Spooner-David Krejci-Frank Vatrano
Tim Schaller-Austin Czarnik-Riley Nash
Anton Blidh-Dominic Moore-Jimmy Hayes

Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Kevan Miller-Colin Miller

Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin

Sabres projected lines

Marcus Foligno-Jack Eichel-Matt Moulson
Zemgus Girgensons-Sam Reinhart-Kyle Okposo
Evander Kane-Johan Larsson-Brian Gionta
Nicolas Deslauriers-Derek Grant-Justin Bailey

Jake McCabe-Rasmus Ristolainen
Zach Bogosian-Cody Franson
Josh Gorges-Justin Falk

Robin Lehner
Anders Nilsson

Today’s storylines

– The Bruins are hoping history doesn’t repeat itself before the new year. Over the last few weeks, teams at the bottom of the standings – the Avalanche, Maple Leafs and Islanders – have come into TD Garden and had their way with the Black and Gold. With the Sabres coming in ranked dead last in the Eastern Conference, the last thing the Bruins need is another loss to a proverbial cellar-dweller.

– In their search for consistency, David Krejci and Ryan Spooner are proving to be a nice tandem on the second line. Since being reformed along with David Backes during the four-game road trip, the duo combined for 11 points and have arguably been the best players for the Black and Gold during that stretch. With Backes out, Frank Vatrano moves to the right side on that second line with Krejci and Spooner. That should be a fun trio to watch this afternoon.