Game Day Five: Senators at Bruins, Mar. 21
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
For the fourth and final time this season the Senators are set to face off against the league leading Bruins at TD Garden. Thus far the home team has taken every game of the series, but none has been truly decided until the waning minutes of each game.
The Senators come into tonight after downing Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena last night thanks in large part to a thrilling performance by Dylan Ferguson's 48 saves in his first NHL start. That win went a long way into the Senators climbing back into the playoff race, now sitting just six points back of Florida for the last playoff spot. The last three games have shown the grit of this Senators group after mounting comebacks against Colorado and Toronto, and then pulling out a gutsy win in Pittsburgh. This team is playing meaningful games in March and making them count of late!
Boston of course comes into tonight as the best team in the NHL. Though they have shown flashes of mortality recently with losses against Chicago, Detroit and Edmonton in their last six games. However, they are the best team in the league for a reason. With nine players with over 40 poitns this season they can attack from all angles. Led by David Pastrnak on the verge of setting a new career high in points sitting at 93, and then Brad marchand leading the top line with 61 points, the offence is potent. Add int a shutdown back end led by their anchor Linus Ullmark who for all intents and purposes has been the best goaltender in the league this season with a 0.935% save percentage and only allowing a league low 1.97 goals per game, this team will be hard to best.
With a lot on the line at this stage of the season the challenge won't be small but the Senators will surely be up to it in Boston tonight!
Roster notes
With no morning skate today below is how the Senators lined up against Pittsburgh last night at PPG Paints Arena:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Batherson
DeBrincat - Greig - Giroux
Brassard - Pinto - Gauthier
Brown - Gambrell - Watson
Defense:
Chabot - Brannstrom
Chychrun - Hamonic
Sanderson - Zub
Battling Boston
Tonight marks the fourth and final regular season match up between the Senatros and Boston. The first three games were wire-to-wire battles, with the Senators taking the first at home in regulation by a score of 7-5. With the second meeting tied 2-2 after 60 minutes plus overtime, the Senators edged Boston once again at home in the shootout when Alex DeBrincat potted the lone goal. The last time these two faced off was at TD Garden in February where it was a one goal game for 52 minutes until David Pastrnak scored to give the Bruins a 2 goal lead which they carried to the end. Tonight will provide the tie breaker in their regular season series, and could provide good preview should the Senators sneak into that final playoff spot to play Boston in the first round.
Who to watch
Ice in his veins, the only way to describe Drake Batherson's performance last night as he potted the game winning goal with just 2:09 left in regulation. The tally marked Batherson's 21st of the year as he continues to set new career highs across the board this season with 34 assists and 55 total points also career bests. Batherson started his career best scoring pace against none other than Boston in game three of the regular season. Look for him to add to that here tonight as the Senators look to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Where to watch
Tuesday's game can be seen live on TSN5 and RDS2. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
