Game 82 preview: Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins

The Ottawa Senators will be finally put out of their misery when they finish off their 2015-2016 season with a game against the Boston Bruins. The Senators are set for their worst season since 2010-2011, when they finished with 74 points. While the game doesn't mean anything to Ottawa, it means everything to the Bruins. Although the Bruins don't control their own fate, a non-shootout win would put them in a very strong position.

Mark Stone practiced yesterday and Curtis Lazar did not, so it is possible the lineup could change, but these are the lines from the game against Florida. Andrew Hammond will start in net.

Smith - Pageau - Ryan
Hoffman - Zibanejad - Dzingel
Puempel - Lazar - Chiasson
Robinson - Paul - Neil

Claesson - Karlsson
Kostka - Ceci
Harpur - Wideman

Anderson (starter)
Hammond

Some notes for tonight:

• Erik Karlsson's assist against Florida game him 65 assists and 81 points on the season. Both are the most by a defenceman since 1995-1996.
• Karlsson's 55 even strength points are tied for the most by a defenceman since 1985-1986.
• Karlsson leads Joe Thornton by three for the NHL assists lead. Thornton's Sharks finish off the regular season against Arizona.
• Karlsson has exactly 15 even strength goals in each of the last three seasons.
• Mike Hoffman still has a chance for 30 goals and 30 assists. He is currently sitting at 29 on both counts.
• Cody Ceci became the first Senator aside from Karlsson to get to 10 goals since 2005-2006.
• All 10 of Ceci's goals have been at even strength. He is only the second Senators defenceman to get 10 even strength goals, with Karlsson doing it four times. Ceci's seventh in the NHL for even strength goals by a defenceman this year.
• Will this be the last game for Mike Hoffman as an Ottawa Senator? Let's hope not.
• Ottawa will finish either 10th, 11th or 12th last, giving them a 3.5%, 3.0% or 2.5% chance respectively at picking first overall. They are currently 12th last but could be passed by Colorado and/or New Jersey if they gain a point on Ottawa.
• If Boston wins in regulation or overtime, they will only be eliminated if Detroit wins in regulation or overtime as well as Philadelphia winning both of their remaining games.
• The Bruins can still make the playoffs even with a regulation loss, if the Flyers don't pick up more than one point in their two games.
• Should the Bruins make it in, they will play either Tampa Bay or Washington in the first round./

Here are some stats for the two teams tonight. All stats are from NHL.com except Corsi and Fenwick are from www.puckon.net. Note that Corsi is now adjusted for score as well as the venue and event type.