Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

[Alfie11]

- To say this game is the biggest game of the season is an understatement. Four points separate the two teams for the final wildcard spot in the East. A win would increase the Sens playoff hopes +12.8 to 50.2%. A loss would decrease the Sens playoff hopes -17.2 to 25.5%. This is as much of a playoff game as you'll get.

- The Sens and Bruins have each won two meetings against each other this season. This is the final meeting between the two teams for the season. Bobby Ryan had an overtime goal and a shootout winner against the Bruins this year. The Bruins won the last game 3-1 last week.

- The goalies are expected to be Rask vs Hammond. Rask did not dress in the last Bruins game due to "soreness", but it's a safe bet to assume he'll be in nets and playing his best against the Sens on Thursday.

- Hammond will have a chance to break a 76 year old NHL record of consecutive games allowing less than 3 goals to start a career. He's also challenging Patrick Lalime for his record of most games to start a career with a point, which is 16. Hammond is currently at 12.

[Alfie11]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

The Sens are really going to have to put their heart into this one. Boston is coming off a loss against Buffalo, and you know they'll be up for this game. The key to this game for the Sens, in my opinion, is getting the Zibanejad line going again. Three goals in two games against the Flyers and Hurricanes isn't ideal and promising. Hammond will also have to bring his A game, as he's done every night so far.

[Josh]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

As crazy as this seems, I'd change up the D a bit.. I've been hugely impressed with Borowiecki lately and I'd also like to see Methot play with Ceci. I think Gryba should be in over Wiercioch as well. Finally, I'd ride Pageau while he's hot and switch up the forward ranks like so:

Michalek - Turris - Ryan
Hoffman - Pageau - Stone
Lazar - Zibanejad - Condra
Puempel - Legwand - Chiasson

Borowiecki - Karlsson
Methot - Ceci
Cowen - Gryba

ALL HAMBURGLAR ALL THE TIME

[thedaigle1]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

This is as big of an opportunity as Bobby Ryan will ever get to put a team on his back and prove he's a truly elite winger. Like Brandon said, it's all about the Zibanejad line and for me that means Bobby Ryan scoring timely goals. Hammond will keep the Sens in this one. If Bobby has a big game, Ottawa can snag the two most crucial points of the season. Contributions from Karlsson/Methot/Ceci and the Pesky Pageau line are just gravy.

[thedaigle1]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

And another thing,

Why is the pressure on Ottawa? Ottawa is pretty much where they're supposed to be. Everyone in Ottawa is safe right now and for the near future and if anything the team is overachieving.

Boston, on the other hand, is aging. They traded away their best defenseman in Boychuk and a huge offensive weapon in Seguin. Their captain is in decline and they rely a lot on Rask. Many have reported that the coach and GM are in trouble if the team misses the playoffs. They constantly flounder against Montreal. They almost lost to friggin' Toronto in the first round a couple years ago (rendering their last cup run somewhat of an aberration). Not to mention, they're coming off a loss to Buffalo. Ottawa needs to take advantage of this. They need to put some real doubt in Boston tonight. Ottawa can send Boston into a full existential crisis if they have their way with the Bruins mentally. If the Sens can just create that uncertainty, the rest will write itself.

[Josh]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

And another thing,

Why is the pressure on Ottawa? Ottawa is pretty much where they're supposed to be. Everyone in Ottawa is safe right now and for the near future and if anything the team is overachieving.

Boston, on the other hand, is aging. They traded away their best defenseman in Boychuk and a huge offensive weapon in Seguin. Their captain is in decline and they rely a lot on Rask. Many have reported that the coach and GM are in trouble if the team misses the playoffs. They constantly flounder against Montreal. They almost lost to friggin' Toronto in the first round a couple years ago (rendering their last cup run somewhat of an aberration). Not to mention, they're coming off a loss to Buffalo. Ottawa needs to take advantage of this. They need to put some real doubt in Boston tonight. Ottawa can send Boston into a full existential crisis if they have their way with the Bruins mentally. If the Sens can just create that uncertainty, the rest will write itself.

Right on man! If Ottawa can take them to town tonight, Boston's confidence will be shot and the pressure will be an at all time high.

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

This really is like a one game play in to qualify for the playoffs. A win puts us 2 points back with a game in hand and all the momentum you could hope for.

[thedaigle1]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

This really is like a one game play in to qualify for the playoffs. A win puts us 2 points back with a game in hand and all the momentum you could hope for.

It's as good as it gets when two division rivals have split the season series and game five can determine who gets into the playoffs. Let's just hope the players got the memo.

[thedaigle1]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

Gryba in, Cowen out, Steve Lloyd reports.

[Alfie11]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

And another thing,

Why is the pressure on Ottawa? Ottawa is pretty much where they're supposed to be. Everyone in Ottawa is safe right now and for the near future and if anything the team is overachieving.

Boston, on the other hand, is aging. They traded away their best defenseman in Boychuk and a huge offensive weapon in Seguin. Their captain is in decline and they rely a lot on Rask. Many have reported that the coach and GM are in trouble if the team misses the playoffs. They constantly flounder against Montreal. They almost lost to friggin' Toronto in the first round a couple years ago (rendering their last cup run somewhat of an aberration). Not to mention, they're coming off a loss to Buffalo. Ottawa needs to take advantage of this. They need to put some real doubt in Boston tonight. Ottawa can send Boston into a full existential crisis if they have their way with the Bruins mentally. If the Sens can just create that uncertainty, the rest will write itself.

I think you also need to look at the team age, experience and big game appearances. The Sens have a pretty young group. A lot of their biggest games in their career so far have been Game 7 vs the Rangers (and some who's biggest game was the last game against Boston). The last time these two teams met, the experience showed. Boston was cool, calm and opportunistic. The Sens couldn't find a way to beat Rask and missed some key chances. Most of the Bruins core has been to a Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 and won.

With the young and inexperienced group we have, the Bruins are one of the last teams in the East I would want a showdown for the final playoff spot. I'm not saying the Sens have no chance. But Boston could probably get outshot 40-10 and still have a chance to win the game.

[thedaigle1]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

And another thing,

Why is the pressure on Ottawa? Ottawa is pretty much where they're supposed to be. Everyone in Ottawa is safe right now and for the near future and if anything the team is overachieving.

Boston, on the other hand, is aging. They traded away their best defenseman in Boychuk and a huge offensive weapon in Seguin. Their captain is in decline and they rely a lot on Rask. Many have reported that the coach and GM are in trouble if the team misses the playoffs. They constantly flounder against Montreal. They almost lost to friggin' Toronto in the first round a couple years ago (rendering their last cup run somewhat of an aberration). Not to mention, they're coming off a loss to Buffalo. Ottawa needs to take advantage of this. They need to put some real doubt in Boston tonight. Ottawa can send Boston into a full existential crisis if they have their way with the Bruins mentally. If the Sens can just create that uncertainty, the rest will write itself.

I think you also need to look at the team age, experience and big game appearances. The Sens have a pretty young group. A lot of their biggest games in their career so far have been Game 7 vs the Rangers (and some who's biggest game was the last game against Boston). The last time these two teams met, the experience showed. Boston was cool, calm and opportunistic. The Sens couldn't find a way to beat Rask and missed some key chances. Most of the Bruins core has been to a Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 and won.

With the young and inexperienced group we have, the Bruins are one of the last teams in the East I would want a showdown for the final playoff spot. I'm not saying the Sens have no chance. But Boston could probably get outshot 40-10 and still have a chance to win the game.

You're 100% right. My take: one man's experience is another man's baggage.

[Alfie11]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

Yeah, I agree. Sooner or later, you're going to have to win those big games if you want to be competitive. The Sens are 13-1-1 or something in their last 15 games, have a red hot goaltender and play hard.

Just read that Boro dislocated a rib on Sunday and just popped it back in and returned to the game. Wow..

[Josh]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

Gryba in, Cowen out, Steve Lloyd reports.

Glad Gryba is in (actually I called for it a few posts up), but I think Cowen has been (marginally) better than Wiercioch of late..

[Josh]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

2-1 Bruins :(

[Josh]

Re: Game 70: Bruins @ Senators, 7:30pm

Here's a beautiful HD feed, unfortunately the Boston feed though: https://streamup.com/stream2