Game #36 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins

The Ottawa Senators will embark on a season long seven game road trip starting tonight in Boston to play Kaspars Daugavins new team, the Bruins. This will be a tough game for the Sens to try and have a good comeback game after getting shutout by their divisional rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, at home. Ottawa is about to start this long road trip due to Scotiabank Place being the home of the 2013 Women’s World Hockey Championship.

19-10-6, 5th Eastern Conference, L10 6-2-2

@

22-8-4, 4th Eastern Conference, L10 5-4-1

TV: Rogers Sportsnet Sens   Radio: Team 1200

Puck Drop: 7 PM

HEAD TO HEAD

The Bruins winning streak versus the Ottawa Senators continued this season, in a string of one goal games. The first two games required extra time and the last one looked like it was destined for the extra period, that is until Dennis Seidenberg broke the hearts of all Sens fans. Robin Lehner has started every game so far and looks as if he might also start this one. He has kept Ottawa in every single game and has come to play for every game. This season series has had some good moments. Daugavins first goal of the season, his shootout attempt, Guillaume Latendresse‘s first goal of the season. The Ottawa Senators will look to break the streak and start the road trip on the right note.

Mar 21, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN;

should face his old team tonight, after being picked up on waivers from the Ottawa Senators. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

LAST GAMES

The Ottawa Senators ended their home stand on a sour note, after taking one to the chin courtesy of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators were taken advantage of all night as James Reimer continued his success versus the Sens, leading the Leafs to a 4-0 shutout victory.

The Boston Bruins were also part of a shutout, but were on the right side of it, as their first line and Anton Khudobin led them to a 2-0 win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tonight’s players to watch are the guys in the blue paint. The goaltenders that should be starting tonight are Robin Lehner and Anton Khudobin.

Robin Lehner, OTT – Lehner has started every game versus the Bruins this season and has played very well despite not winning any of the games. Look for him to start due to the history of this series and the fact that Ben Bishop was the starter in the Sens 4-0 defeat. While the return of Craig Anderson is quickly approaching and the trade deadline is looming; and Bishop’s name is once again out there, look for Lehner to try and impress the Sens upper management while he has the chance.

Anton Khudobin, BOS – Just like Lehner, Khudobin has played well versus the Senators so far in his career. After he posted a shutout versus the Sabres it would be hard for Claude Julien to not play him versus the Sens.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1. Goaltender’s duel – This game has goaltender’s duel written all over it. If all the stars align and past history continues we should see Lehner vs Khudobin part two.
2. The streak – The Sens will be looking to end the winning streak the Bruins have going against team and will be in tough playing in Boston.
3. One goal game – All season long these two teams have played in tight one goal games and Boston has won all of them, the Sens have 2 game remaining versus the Bruins and are hoping for a different result.

PARTING SHOT

The Sens have a long road trip ahead that will probably determine where the Sens will sit going into the playoffs. The remaining schedule is somewhat favorable for Ottawa, they will be looking to move up the standings to try and get home ice advantage going into the playoffs!

I will update this post to include tonight’s starters and will also tweet them!

Enjoy the game!