SENATORS (28-42-11) at BRUINS (49-19-12) 7 p.m. ET; CITY, TVAS, NESN, NHL.TV
The Bruins, who are looking to end their three-game losing streak (0-2-1), are two points behind the first-place Tampa Bay Lightning with one game in hand. The Lightning, who hold the tiebreaker in regulation/overtime wins (48-46) play the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, and can clinch the division and conference with a win, or a Bruins loss in regulation. Ottawa, which in playing its season finale, is 2-9-0 in its past 11 games.
Players to watch
Senators forward Matt Duchene has 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in his past 14 games. Bruins forward Brad Marchand has 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in his past 18 games.
They said it
"I'm really excited. I think we all know the situation that we're in but with every game we want to go out there and win. It's the last game of the season so there's nothing to save it for."-- Ottawa goaltender Daniel Taylor, who makes his first NHL start since 2013 "I want them to play well, hopefully win a hockey game, get back feeling good about ourselves in that area. Doing it the right way, which would be defending our slot better, less odd-man rushes against. ... Offensively, generating more second chances, playing a little more as a group." -- Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy
The Senators did not hold a morning skate ... Taylor makes his first NHL start since March 3, 2013 with the Calgary Flames in a 4-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks. ... Wingels returns after missing two games because of a hand injury. ... Rick Nash and Kuraly skated but won't play until Sunday at the earliest. Riley Nash hasn't skated and will miss the final two games of the regular season.
Stat pack
Pyatt needs one point for 100 in his NHL career. ... Pastrnak has 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in his past 19 games. ... The Bruins have lost four straight games once this season (Nov. 8-15).
