There is no team that has owned the Ottawa Senators quite like the Boston Bruins have over the last few seasons.
And while the Sens have made it competitive in the three meetings this year, they’ve still won just one game against the Bruins in the last 13 match ups. Paul MacLean and his team will be looking to end that ugly stretch as they kick off a seven game road trip tonight at the TD Garden in Boston.
The Senators are coming off their ugliest loss of the season, a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the Leafs on Saturday night. Ottawa has had a couple days to lick their wounds and will obviously looking for a stronger effort against the Bruins. Ottawa trails the 4th place Bruins by four points, with Boston still holding a game in hand. If the Senators are going to have any chance of chasing down home ice advantage in Round 1, this is a game they need to win.
Although like many Senator fans, I can’t help but be intrigued by the possibility of finishing 6th in the East and drawing the Southeast Division winner in the first round. Too many games left on the schedule to start thinking that way though.
One wrinkle in the Ottawa line up to start this one as Alfredsson and Silfverberg will trade lines. Here is how the coach lined them up at the morning skate.
Hoffman-Turris-Silfverberg
Latendresse-Zibanejad-Alfredsson
Greening-O'Brien-Neil
Kassian-Smith-Condra
Methot-Gryba
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Benoit-Phillips
Peter Regin and Mike Lundin will look on from the press box again. Robin Lehner gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with the game available on Sportsnet Sens and on the radio at Team 1200.
- Some good news on the injury front as Milan Michalek took the morning skate with his team in full gear. Still no timeline for Michalek’s return but the team is hopeful he gets into a game on this road trip.
- Another name can be crossed off the Sens wish list as Derek Roy is on his way to the Vancouver Canucks for Kevin Connauton and a 2nd round pick. Ottawa definitely had an interest but in the end he stays in the Western Conference. The Stars are expected to continue to unload players, with Jaromir Jagr looking like the next to go.
