2024-25 Ottawa Senators Game Coverage

Game 65 Preview and Open Thread - Ottawa Senators versus Boston Bruins

Nothing says springtime in Ottawa like a divisional matchup against Boston

While the Ottawa Senators have made themselves a nice little cushion in the wild card race since the deadline, now seems like a great time to keep winning games and not relent in any capacity–hack the bone!

For whatever reason, when I think back to the springs of 2013, 2015, and 2017 I always see the Sens playing the Bruins in March, and the games having significant implications. The Bruins still technically belong in the mix in the eastern conference despite their deadline fire sale. Ottawa again has a cushion but winners win and tonight Ottawa needs to show exactly zero mercy. Boston just beat Tampa and Florida and I can guarantee that Jon Cooper and Paul Maurice lost their goddamn minds at the subsequent practices. Bury your opponent.

The Blue Jackets, Devils, and Rangers all play tonight (against western conference opponents). Last night, Montreal lost in overtime and Detroit won in regulation. Buckle up, Sens fans.

Game Notes:

It goes without saying that this Boston team barely resembles the one we've seen over the past few years given the injuries to the Bruins' top pairing and all the trades made at the deadline. On the one hand, both of these teams typically draw a lot of penalties but also only Mark Kastelic really strikes me as a tough customer on this Boston roster.
So far this season, the Sens lead the series 2-1 (with a combined box score of 9-9) and this marks the final regular season meeting of the year. Ottawa, as you know, have won five of their last ten and find themselves on a bit of a four-game heater while the Bruins have won just three of their last ten but have back-to-back wins since shipping their captain off to south Florida.
On the season, both teams have generated similar five-on-five results but that bears the caveat that the Bruins have just dismantled their roster. Ottawa has also benefited from much better goaltending than Boston this season–start the car!
On special teams, Ottawa hasn't necessarily had a better powerplay but they have gotten the bounces while Boston has not. I would argue that Boston has the better penalty kill on paper but their goaltending or lack thereof has nullified that.
Ottawa really needs to lean in to the home ice advantage here as Boston really just has one guy to watch out for at this point. Get Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub out there against David Pastrnak and call it a day.
Expect no lineup changes for Ottawa because it ain't broke.

Senators Injuries: Nick Cousins, Travis Hamonic

Bruins Injuries: Hampus Lindholm, Charlie McAvoy