*8* SURE SHOT on Boston Bruins.

The Buffalo Sabres had lost six straight prior to back-to-back wins at Winnipeg and Minnesota in their most recent games. They'll host the Boston Bruins Friday night, and the Bruins will be desperate to put an end to a three-game slide. They have yet to lose four in a row this season, and I don't think they will tonight either.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Home Woes - The Sabres have scored just seven goals over five consecutive losses home at First Niagara Center, and they're averaging just 1.96 goals per game in front of the home-town crowd for the season. Buffalo is just 8-13-2 at home this season and the Bruins have won seven of their last nine when visiting a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

2. Deceiving Results - The Bruins have carried one-goal leads into each of their last two games, only to come up short. They can't keep dropping leads forever, and the Sabres are just 6-11 when their opponent tallies the first goal this season.

3. X-Factor - Buffalo won 3-2 at Minnesota Tuesday, but this is a pretty terrible spot as they're 4-14 in their last 18 Friday games and 8-20 in their last 28 games playing on two days rest.

Selection: This is a play on the Boston Bruins (6*)