Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored the game winner with just over three and a half minutes and also added an assist for the Senators.  Kyle Turris also had a goal and an assist while Erik Karlsson added two helpers.  Surprise starter Robin Lehner earned the win, making 34 saves.

April 28, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) scores a goal past Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP

It was an entertaining although cautious first period that saw each team get some special teams action.  Eric Condra got the Senators on the board first when he drove the net and slid the rebound off Pageau’s shot past Tuukka Rask with just over 3 minutes left in the period.  Milan Lucic, who had been taking some liberties with Ottawa players, got in a nice scrap with Chris Neil, with bot players freely chucking the knuckles.  The period ended with Brad Marchand taking a hack at Karlsson after the final buzzer, drawing a crowd and a penalty.

The other defenseman who made a miraculous comeback, Jared Cowen, put Ottawa up 2-0 midway through the second with a long point shot that Rask never saw coming. A late holding penalty to Cory Conacher with two minutes left allowed Boston to get back within one before the period was out, with Rich Peverley scoring, assisted by former Senator Wade Redden with just 4 seconds left.  Peverley took a pass from Redden, who took a big hit to make the play, and slid it past Lehner.

Boston got even just 14 seconds into the third, with Dennis Seidenberg‘s shot from the top of the circle through traffic beat Lehner, a goal that was also assisted by a former Senator, Kaspars Daugavins.  Condra had a great chance to put Ottawa back on top as the mid-way point of the third approached, but was denied by Rask in all alone after being sent in by Cory Conacher.  Pageau pounced on a rebound from a long shot by Marc Methot and deposited the biscuit in the basket behind Rask to finally break the tie with 3:34 remaining.  Turris sealed the deal with the empty netter after Karlsson air-mailed a pass from his own zone to Turris in the neutal zone.

OBSERVATIONS

• Condra was due to finally score.  He is offensively challenged at times and will never be a big scorer, but he works hard and was finally rewarded.
• It looked like the team as a whole let up on the rush that resulted in Boston’s first goal.  As the period was winding down, Boston was messing around with it in their own end and the rush developed quickly and Ottawa might not have been at full attention.
• Faceoffs were a real problem for everyone but Turris, who was 59%.  No other Senator was over 40% on the draw.
• Karlsson played over 27 minutes for the second straight night, so any doubts about his ability to play big minutes has to be erased, as does any concern about him re-injuring the surgically repaired tendon.

SENSHOT’S PLAYER OF THE GAME

Pageau’s goal pretty much assured that the Senators would be able to avoid the Penguins.  The fact that it stood up as the game winner means Ottawa gets to play their first ever playoff series against its closest geographical rival.  Pageau had a goal, an assist and 4 shots on goal.

UP NEXT

Ottawa and Montreal will get some rest as their series will not begin until Thursday night, in Montreal as the first half of back to back games.

24-17-6, 8th Eastern Conference, L10 5-5-0

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28-13-6, 4th Eastern Conference, L10 4-4-2

Puck Drop: 7 PM

TV: Rogers Sportsnet East   Radio: Team 1200

HEAD TO HEAD

I could sum up this section with three words: one goal game. It always seems that when these two franchises meet, that every game is close and usually ends up being a one goal game; generally in the Bruins favour. Every game had a different hero for the Bruins. Whether it was Patrice Bergeron, Daniel Paille, Dennis Seidenberg or Nathan Horton they always found a way to win and that’s what good teams do. Just like every other game this year, it will probably be Robin Lehner starting tonight. He has proven that he can handle playing the Bruins as he always plays well, unfortunately he has never found himself on the winning side of things in this series and I’m sure he and the team are hoping the outcome is different tonight.

Apr 2, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Colin Greening (14) gets tripped up by defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) in front of goalie Anton Khudobin (35) during the third period at TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Bruins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

LAST GAMES

The Senators fell to the Philadelphia Flyers in a tight game going down 2-1. Kyle Turris was the lone scorer for the Senators, Steve Mason made 43 saves on route to the victory. The Sens had plenty of chances to score on the man advantage but came away empty seven times. If the Senators had won that game, it would have put them in a much better position and maybe would be able to rest a couple guys but now do not find themselves in a position to do so as they need more than ever, win versus a team they have a really hard time against.

Boston blew the lead to the Washington Capitals and were eventually downed in overtime as Eric Fehr scored in winner. Boston had the 2-0 lead until Mike Green took over the game scoring both goals on the power play in the 3rd period and getting the assist on the Fehr winner.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Robin Lehner, OTT – As mentioned above, he must be getting really sick of seeing his team be on the wrong end of one goal games against the Bruins. Look for Lehner to try and step up his game another level to try and help the Sens move up the standings.

Zdeno Chara, BOS – The Bruins captain seems to get another gear when playing against his former club, which is a little scary considering we know what he is capable of on a nightly basis. The big man is no doubt a game changer.

3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1. Playoff preview? – I’m sure the Sens want nothing to do with playing the Bruins in the playoffs. It’s pretty simple beat them in regulation and they won’t (will face the Habs). Lose in regulation and they get the Pens. Lose in overtime or shootout and they play the  same team they just played, again the in playoffs. None are a scenario they want.
2. One goal game – As mentioned above these franchises have a knack for one goal games and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one was too. As both teams will be desperate for the win as they both will move up with a win.
3. Goaltending dual – Goaltending is usually a huge part of these games and I don’t have a doubt that this will change anytime soon as both franchises process quality goaltenders.

PARTING SHOT

 To say this is a huge game, is a grossly large understatement. This game has big implications for both teams. This game will definitely have a playoff feel to it and being the only game on, will garner a lot of attention. The Ottawa Senators are on the stage and it is up to them to perform and leave the city with the two points and enter the playoffs with some positive vibes!

Enjoy the game!