(UPDATE 4:42 PM)- There are times when sports takes a back seat to real life and this is obviously one of those times. Considering the terrifying events at today’s Boston Marathon, and the heightened security around the city, the league has made the correct decision and postponed tonight’s Senators/Bruins. No immediate word on when the game will be made up. Thoughts and prayers go out to those involved in today’s incident.
The Ottawa Senators close out a seemingly endless road trip with one last monumental task in Boston, Massachusetts.
After wins in Philadelphia and New Jersey, the Sens play their seventh straight contest as the visitors, this time in the house of horrors that is TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins. Ottawa has lost all four games to Boston this season, each by a single goal. Of course the issues with the Bruins are nothing new for Ottawa, as they have lost 14 of their last 15 against their Northeast rival.
The Bruins have lost a couple games in a row but still pose a significant challenge for the Senators. Not only do the Bruins have an impressive 14-3-2 home record, but they’ve completely owned the Ottawa Senators over the past few season. The Sens will need a special effort to end the Boston curse tonight.
And obviously it starts in goal. Robin Lehner has started all four games against Boston this season but will give way to Craig Anderson in this one. Anderson was rock solid in New Jersey on Friday night, turning aside all 33 shots he faced. He can expect more of the same from the Bruins who will have Tuukka Rask in goal.
While back to back wins gave the Senators a little bit of breathing room, they need to keep picking up points down the stretch. The Islanders are just one point back, the Rangers two and the 9th place Jets just four back. Two points in Boston tonight would be huge for Ottawa as after tonight they’ll close with 5 of 6 at Scotiabank Place.
One change to the Ottawa line up as Matt Kassian will take the LW spot on the 4th line, which means Guillaume Latendresse is the healthy scratch. Here is how the Sens are expected to line up for this one
Anderson
Methot-Gryba
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Benoit-Phillips
Michalek-Turris-Alfredsson
Conacher-Zibanejad-Silfverberg
Greening-Pageau-Condra
Kassian-Smith-Neil
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM.
GO SENS GO!
