Ottawa Senators

Game Day: Senators @ Bruins - Big 4 pointer in Beantown
March 21, 2017, 9:58 AM ET [12 Comments]
Jared Crozier
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Now on 4 game losing streak (0-2-2) that followed a six game win streak, and two straight losses that but a halt to their quest for first in the Atlantic, the Senators need to turn things around beginning tonight against the third place Boston Bruins.

It could have been even more vital, but the Senators got some help from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who beat the Bruins 4-2 Monday night in Toronto. That win moved the Leafs within a point of the Bruins, and five of the Senators.

So it will be an angry (the Bruins were not happy with the way they lost and a late penalty call that was the difference in the loss), but perhaps fatigued club that had to play and travel back home while the Senators were already in Boston waiting for them.

The Bruins may have nightmares about playing Ontario teams this season, as last night's loss meant the Leafs swept the season series with Boston, and the have also fallen to the Senators in both of their head to head meetings this season - 3-1 in November and 4-2 earlier this month. Both of those games were in Ottawa, and tonight will be the first time Ottawa visits Boston this season, with one more meeting to come in the closing days of the season (April 6th).

Had Boston won last night, they could have caught up to Ottawa with a win tonight, but as it stands now an Ottawa win (in regulation) will open up a big 6 point margin, while a loss (in regulation) will close the gap to 2. So it is the proverbial 4 point game, that will have a big impact on the race and jostling for position in the Atlantic Division.

Brad Marchand has taken huge strides this season, and has followed up his World Cup MVP performance with a season that has him tied for second in the league in points (80) and second in goals (37), so no doubt he is a player to keep an eye on. Twenty year old David Pastrnak is having a breakout season, sitting at 31 goals.

Tuukka Rask played in Toronto, allowing 2 goals on 28 shots (2 of the Leafs goals were empty netters), but with the pressure on the Bruins and the fact that there is a big drop-off between himself and his backup, he will likely be in goal for his club despite the back to back situation.

Craig Anderson had an off game, with some questions about whether or not it was necessary to play him back to back, and will need to be great in this one to bounce back. He is not the only one, as the entire team's performance in the second game against Montreal left a lot to be desired. They had lost three straight heading into that one, but their play was not bad, but it was a stinker at the Bell Centre and to a man they need to be better. That should not be a tall order, and we know they can step up when needed. The absence of Mark Stone and what he brings to the team is more and more apparent by the game, and they can't get him back too soon (although a return is still some time away).

They will also need to become road warriors very quickly, as they have 11 games remaining, only 3 of them at home and 8 on the road.

Boston is also the city where Colin White had his season ended, and the Senators are negotiating with him to try and get him signed to an ATO (amateur tryout) and play the rest of the season in Binghamton, while he would prefer to sign his NHL entry level deal and play in Ottawa which would burn the first year of his deal and reduce the team's control over him by a year. That is a good sign that the Senators aren't going to rush this prospect like the did another one (who is now a point per game player with the Flames - 1 point in 1 game played).

However, it is a dangerous game to play because the Senators have high hopes for the future with White, and if they make him angry he has the hammer in that he can play out his NCAA career and wait it out to become a UFA in two years. That is a long-term ploy and I don't think it would go that far, but if he wants to get paid now, that is the leverage he has to try and get the entry level deal done now.