Ottawa Senators

Game Day: Senators @ Bruins - showdown in Beantown
April 6, 2017, 9:52 AM ET [21 Comments]
Jared Crozier
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As the clock ticks closer to the end of the season, it is probably the biggest night in the Atlantic division playoff race...at least since Tuesday.

With four of the five remaining contenders for the three available playoff spots/seeding slots involved in head to head matchups, things could get settled or it could become a whole lot murkier.

Ottawa and Toronto can both clinch playoff spots with a win (Ottawa can do so with a point) or Tampa and the Islanders both dropping a point. Boston, who host the Senators tonight, clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Lightning on Tuesday, are also looking to down the Senators and put themselves in a better position to get home ice advantage in the first round.

The Senators control their own destiny in the race to avoid the final Wild-card spot and thus avoiding the Capitals in the first round.

Boston will likely be without their top scorer, as Brad Marchand will almost certainly be suspended for at least this game if not both of the Bruins' remaining regular season contests after being tossed out of Tuesday's game for spearing Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin in the groin.

(update: Karlsson will not play, according to Guy Boucher and Jokipakka will play in his place...until Karlsson proclaims himself fit, that is!...and don't say it won't happen!) The status of Erik Karlsson is uncertain at this moment, having sat out the last few minutes of Tuesday's win over the Red Wings, and although he made light of it after the game, he was limping noticeably during the three stars twirl and he would have to be considered questionable.

It will also be interesting to see what Guy Boucher does with his fourth line, which has seen some remarkable debuts/returns in the past couple of games. Colin White made his first NHL start in Detroit, while Clarke MacArthur made an unexpected return the following night in Ottawa much to the delight of his teammates and Senators' fans. White is the likely choice, as he is a Boston native and played his college hockey in Boston up until a couple of weeks ago when he left to pursue his ATO which turned into his entry level deal.

It could be one of those two lining up, or it could also mark another return, that of Chris Neil, who has been out with a broken finger since February 26th and is close to being available for duty.

Craig Anderson is coming off a 24 save shutout and will likely be in the Ottawa net, with the playoffs on the line.

With just three games left in Ottawa's season, there is a lot to play for and a win over the Bruins will not only clinch a playoff spot but put the Senators in the driver's seat for home ice in the first round, whether the opponent is the Bruins, Leafs, Lightning or Islanders.

Ottawa has won all three meetings with the Bruins this season, all coming in regulation. This is despite Boston scoring 4 power play goals on seven combined opportunities over the three games, but has scored just once at even strength against the Senators this season.