Ottawa Senators: Bruins Can’t Handle The Heat

By heat clearly meaning, the system. The Ottawa Senators pulled off yet another convincing win over the Boston Bruins, as they kept the momentum building.

As it stands, the Boston Bruins would be the Sens first round opponents in the post-season. Nothing but positives could be taken from that game, they looked good on the puck, and forechecked Boston out of the game.

That tweet just about sums it all up perfectly, the Sens do know how to win. While it might annoy Gary Bettman and neutrals, do fans of the Ottawa Senators care? Of course not, playing attractive hockey is a bonus, but winning is the ultimate feeling. Being confident when you’re striding up to the arena, or sitting down to watch the game is the greatest feeling as a fun.

Toronto fans have peppered Ottawa and their system, but guess what, it works. It is evident, whenever rival fans have to criticise a winning style of play, that they are clutching at straws.

Outshooting the Bruins 29-27, it really wasn’t as close as that. Boston continuing to stick to their roots, taking more penalties than Ottawa. Both teams struggling on the penalty kill and thriving on the powerplay. Ottawa with 50 percent and Boston 66.67 percent.

Derick Brassard getting the Sens on the board 1:21 into the first, with a hopeful wrister just in front of the blue line, through Rask who’s vision was impaired by his own defenseman’s actions.

The situation improved further for the Sens as Jean-Gabriel Pageau flicked a Dion Phaneuf shot past the unaware Rask. 2-0 and cruising.

Ottawa should’ve been back in the locker room with a tender two goal lead, it wasn’t to be as Patrice Bergeron got the Bruins back into the game, 1:36 remaining in the first frame.

The Sens essentially gifting the chances as they couldn’t clear their zone for life nor money. Cody Ceci the main culprit, alongside goalscorer Pageau.

Second Period

Uneventful apart from two penalties for Boston, one for Ottawa and outshooting the Bruins 16-5. Sens had chances to convert and didn’t.

Third Period

Mike Hoffman secured the win for Ottawa Senators making it 3-1 on the powerplay, Karlsson and Phaneuf with the assists. Sens fans will love to see those two D-Men linking up again.

Brad Marchand did his best to ask some late questions of Ottawa 9:04 into the third, with Alex Burrows getting the job done with an empty netter.

Next: Ottawa Senators: A Look Back At The Sens Beginnings

Final Thoughts

Excellent effort from the Kanata outfit, playing Boucher’s team to a tee. I personally don’t think it was an off night for the resurgent Bruins. As mentioned in the pre-match thoughts, if they Sens performed the system they’d stop the offensive threat.

Up next on Wednesday, the Sens travel to face the Dallas Stars.