BOSTON – In a rookie season that will be full of milestones and mileposts for Jack Eichel, the day after Christmas certainly rates as one of the biggest.
The Buffalo Sabres’ first meeting of the season against the Boston Bruins is Saturday night, and it will mark Eichel’s first NHL game in his hometown. And although Eichel played for Boston University in huge games at TD Garden last season, it will be his first time skating there against the Bruins. Thus, it’s his first run against some core players who still remain from Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup championship team he rooted for as a 14-year-old in suburban North Chelmsford, Mass.