GAMEDAY 5: Senators vs. Bruins, Feb. 19
The set-up
The Sens (18-25-4) got back into the win column Thursday with a gutsy 3-1 road victory in Buffalo as they won their second straight away from home.
Boston (27-17-4) haven't won since they beat Ottawa 2-0 one week ago after they lost in a shootout to the Rangers Tuesday and fell 4-1 to the Islanders Thursday.
Ottawa's penalty kill was on full display Thursday as they killed off five of six penalties to lead the team to victory. The Sens' penalty kill ranks fourth in the NHL since Jan. 2 at 86.3 per cent and they'll face the eighth best power play in the league tonight. The Bruins convert 24.8 per cent of the time but are 0-for-9 over their last four games.
Thursday's victory was just the fifth time this season the Senators have given up the first goal of the game and collected the two points. Of the Bruins 27 wins, 18 have come when they get the first goal.
Boston ranks fifth in the NHL with 35.0 shots per game while the Sens give up 33.6 per contest, the sixth most. However, the 24 shots the Sens gave up Thursday was their lowest since Dec. 6 versus New Jersey.
Both teams combine for 19.03 penalty minutes per game as the Sens are in the box for 9.56 minutes a night and the Bruins 9.47. Ottawa continues to lead the NHL in hits per 60 minutes at 29.62 while the Bruins place third at 27.21.
The Senators are 9-14-1 at home this season and have lost their last three at Canadian Tire Centre and have been outscored 9-2 in the process. The Bruins are 12-7-3 away from home.
Roster notes
No changes are expected tonight for the Senators while Sens head coach D.J. Smith did confirm that Thomas Chabot and Matt Murray will not play this weekend.
Anton Forsberg, who made 23 saves in Thursday's win over the Sabres, will start. The Swede is 10-8-1 with a .916 save percentage and 2.78 GAA. His 10 wins match a career high in one season.
Previous history
Tonight is the 148th all-time meeting between Ottawa and Boston that makes the Bruins the second most played opponent in franchise history alongside Buffalo. Montreal are the Sens most faced opponent at 156.
Previously, Ottawa is 53-79-7 with eight ties against the Bruins with 29 of those wins coming on home ice.
Ottawa is 0-2-0 versus Boston this season after a 3-2 loss at TD Garden on Nov. 9 and a 2-0 defeat one week ago.
Zach Sanford and Nikita Zaitsev have a goal each this season against the Bruins while tonight marks the 18th time Zaitsev has faced Boston making them the second most played team in his career behind Montreal (23 games). As a Senator, Chris Tierney has one goal and six points in nine games against the Bruins.
Who to watch
Tyler Ennis recorded his 200th career assist Thursday against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2008. By reaching that milestone, Ennis became the 144th active skater to join the 200 assist club and the 18th member of his draft class.
In 42 games this season, the Edmonton native has five goals and 19 points. He is eighth in team scoring this year as he averages 12:34 a night.
Where to watch
Saturday's game can be seen live on Sportsnet East, Sportsnet ONE and TVAS at 7 p.m. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5.
