Boston: 16-3-3
Ottawa: 13-8-4
The
Boston Bruins will be north of the border Monday night to take on a familiar
divisional opponent, the Ottawa Senators. The matchup is the first of back-to-back
road games that Boston will play before returning home Thursday. Ottawa comes
into this game trailing the Bruins by five points in the Northeast standings.
Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will lead his injury ridden club in a game
that is hugely important to Ottawa if it hopes to keep pace in a highly
competitive division. Boston squeaked by with a 2-1 overtime victory in the
only meeting between the two back on February 28th.
The
Bruins, winners of two straight, will look to extend their streak against a
team they have had great success against in the recent past. Boston has nine
consecutive victories at ScotiaBank Place and with an 8-1-2 road record this
season, all signs point in Boston’s favor. Let’s not jump to any conclusion
just yet though.
The
Senators will be without the likes of Norris Trophy winner Eric Karlson,
offensive guru Jason Spezza, and starting goaltender Craig Anderson in this
one. Don’t let those injuries deceive you. Despite being banged up, the
Senators are 9-1-2 at home. Ottawa
is coming off an emotional victory in which rookie forward Jakob Silverberg
defeated the Rangers with a late third period tally. With Boston in town, the
Senators will be raring to go and fired up to knock off another top tier team.
Boston
holds a decisive advantage in special teams play. Ottawa’s power play is just
two for its last twenty-three at home. The Bruins have the NHL’s top ranked
kill and in all likelihood, offensive production may be hard to come by for the
Sens. Defeating Boston from an even strength stand point is no cake walk either
as the Bruins are a +65 collectively skating five aside.
Look
for Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Seguin, and Brad Marchand to all have a solid
outing for Boston. Bergeron has torched the Senators in his past two trips to
Scotiabank Place, netting three goals and adding two assists. Tuukka Rask has
also had his way with Ottawa, winning all three of his career starts against
them. His most recent being earlier this season in a thirty-one save effort.
Boston
being the road warriors they have been this season should walk away with two
points if they simply play their game. Stout defense will surely stifle an
undersized Sens team. Ottawa, a team that feeds off of its home fans may try to
mix it up early if vulnerability is sensed. Never the less, this inter-division
tilt has the makings for an entertaining game of puck.
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