Bruins grab crucial divisional win, beat Sens 2-1

It sure felt like a playoff game Thursday night when the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators got together. Scotiabank Place was electric and the decisive importance this tilt carried unquestionably fueled the play. Boston was able to survive a testy affair, continuing its dominance in Ottawa, securing a 2-1 victory.  With the win, the B’s improve to 20-6-3 on the year.

Both sides, neck and neck in the North Division, approached this game like it was a series clincher. Emotions ran high, tempers flared, and the hockey didn’t disappoint.

Anton Khudobin got the nod for the Bruins in this one and he was superb. Khudobin turned aside twenty-seven shots on the way to earning his sixth win of the season. The Boston tender has become increasingly comfortable between the pipes as the starts add up. In the closing moments of the first period, Ottawa mounted a furious rush, firing several shots toward him. Khudobin stood tall, and denied each bid. His ability to make one timely save after the next was the biggest determining factor for the black and gold.

Across the sheet, Robin Lehner was equally effective for his team. The Sens net minder was on his game, making many marvelous saves, moving well in his goal. For being just twenty-one years of age, Lehner plays his position like that of seasoned veteran.

Kaspars Daugavins broke up a 0-0 tie at 4:55 of the second period, firing a shot by Khodubin. It was the only goal Ottawa would score. The Bruins smothered the Sens offense, playing a tight checking game.  

Boston failed to capitalize on several chances in this hockey game. They fumbled away many high quality opportunities and had a few giveaways. Johnny Boychuk snapped a tape-to-tape pass over to Daniel Paille, who then closed in on Lehner and beat him glove side, at 18:38 of the second. The Bruins would take a 1-1 tie to the third.

This game looked as if it might head for overtime. Both the Sens and B’s exchanged blows in the final frame, but neither generating much. Patrice Bergeron won a key faceoff late in the third that led to Dennis Seidenberg’s game winning goal. Seidenberg scored from the right point, banging a slap shot by Lehner with only 1:04 left to play. The Boston blue liner could not have picked a better time to score his first of the season, sealing it for the Bruins.

The Bruins showed great resiliency in capturing two crucial divisional points. The Bruins are now 3-0 versus Ottawa. Two meetings still remain and each will take place in Boston. The B’s snapped their losing skid in a big way, ending their third period woes.  When the going got rough, the Bruins rose to the occasion. On a night that Claude Julien shuffled many of his pairings with the hope of finding a spark, Boston hung tough and ultimately was rewarded for its hard work.

The Bruins will head to Toronto Saturday for yet another pivotal faceoff with the Leafs. Puck drop will be at 7pm.