*Find the complete list of the 2017 NHL betting linesHERE!
Series Schedule
Game 1: April 12, 7 PM ET, at Ottawa
Game 2: April 15, 3 PM ET, at Ottawa
Game 3: April 17, 7 PM ET, at Boston
Game 4: April 19, 7:30 PM ET, at Boston
Game 5: April 21, TBD, at Ottawa*
Game 6: April 23, TBD, at Boston*
Game 7: April 26, TBD, at Ottawa*
* if necessary
Regular Season Head-to-Head
It’s safe to say that Guy Boucher has Boston’s number. In his first season as Ottawa head coach, Boucher led the Senators to a 4-0-0 record against the Bruins. The Senators completed the four-game sweep with a 2-1 shootout victory at TD Garden in Boston last Thursday. The playoffs are a different beast, though, and this will be the first time in the history of the NHL that the Bruins and Senators will lock horns in the postseason.
The decision to fire Claude Julien last February has proven to be a masterstroke for the playoff-bound Bruins who finished the season with an exceptional 18-8-1 slate. Boston’s offense has been rejuvenated under the leadership of interim coach Bruce Cassidy, scoring 3-plus goals in 15 of their last 24 games. The Bruins’ scoring depth has greatly improved under Cassidy, with Boston producing nine double-digit goal scorers this season.
One guy who can definitely impact this series in a huge way for Boston is Brad Marchand. No player has tallied more points or scored more goals since January 1 than the right-winger. Marchand, who was suspended for the final two games of the season for spearing, had a career season for Boston, scoring 39 goals and dishing out 46 assists for 85 points in 80 games.
The Senators owned the Bruins during the regular season thanks in large part to the brilliance of goalie Craig Anderson. He totally shut down Boston this season, going 4-0-0 with a .946 save percentage. Anderson surrendered just six total goals in those four games. The Senators will need more of the same from Anderson if they are to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2013. That’s because the Senators’ power play and penalty kill are ranked just 23rd and 22nd in the NHL, respectively.
Anderson has been solid when he’s been in goal for Ottawa, posting a 2.28 GAA on the year. Help is on the way as well for Anderson as captain Erik Karlsson is set to return to the starting lineup for this playoff clash. Karlsson has been a beast for Ottawa, nabbing 71 points in 77 games this season. He’s stepped up his game on the defensive end as well, recording 201 blocked shots this campaign.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bruins’ (-180) experience shine through in an epic 4-3 series win.
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