Sure, the Boston Bruins were without three of their top defensemen – Charlie McAvoy (wrist), Hampus Lindholm (knee) and Brandon Carlo (ill) – but Boston’s overall defense was terrible during a 7-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

A debate has arisen regarding whether the Boston Bruins should demote top defenseman Charlie McAvoy once he returns to the lineup. Charlie McAvoy has been out of the lineup since Jan.

The Bruins host the Jets on Thursday. Lindholm, who is currently on Long Term Injured Reserve has been out since suffering a lower-body injury on Nov. 12 against the Blues. McAvoy had been out since Jan. 11 with an undisclosed injury.

The McAvoy family grew after Charlie McAvoy’s wife Kiley, gave birth the couple’s first child on Sunday morning.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is still recovering from an undisclosed injury with no set return date.

The lead lasted all of 55 seconds. The B’s top line got hemmed in its own end for much of the shift and, after it finally pushed it out of the zone, the players got caught in a change. On a Sabre 4-on-3, Matt Poitras got lost out high and Dylan Cozens connected with the wide-open trailer Thompson, who ripped a slapper past Swayman.

Will remain sidelined Tuesday

The Western Conference-leading Jets have won four straight after starting the current tripwith a 4-1 Tuesday win over the Montreal Canadiens and now turn their attention to clinching a season series sweep of the Bruins, who they trounced 8-1 back on Dec. 10.

First time Bruins have surrendered multiple hat tricks in same game since Eric Daze and Steve Sullivan each had hat trick for Blackhawks on Mar. 9, 2003.

Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka had hat tricks, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 25 saves as Buffalo rolled to a 7-2 win over Boston.

Read the recent NHL news and rumors about Brandon Carlo for fantasy hockey. Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (illness) is a game-time decision for