Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference First Round Game Two – April 15, 2017
The Boston Bruins got enough offense going on Wednesday to steal Game 1 from the Senators in Ottawa, 2-1. Frank Vatrano scored his first-career playoff goal to tie the game in the third period, while standout left wing Brad Marchand kocked-in the game-winner with less than three minutes left to play.
The Bruins played tenaciously despite facing a great deal of blue-line injuries heading into the contest. Defensemen Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo were already scrathed-off for the opener, and now Colin Miller may also have to sit out Game 2 as well due to a stiff blow he’d taken in the second period. Second-line center David Krejci (upper body) might miss his third-straight contest as well to add further literal injury to his team’s roster.
Given Boston’s depleted lines of defense, it’s now up to goalie Tuukka Rask to maintain his indomitable self of late. Rask stopped 26 of 27 shots by the Senators to extend his team’s streak of no losses in regulation to seven games whenever he’s the starter. Rask also has two shutout performances during that span, so he’s certainly capable of putting together another solid night between the pipes.
As the best penalty-killing team in the NHL, perhaps the Bruins’ special teams defense will once again bail them out at the right time. They halted all two of the Senators’ power-play opportunities on Wednesday and have now just allowed one short-handed goal in 14 tries over the last four contests.
There was a prolonged moment in Wednesday’s game where it looked like the Ottawa Senators were the better team. They outshot the Bruins 12-0 in the second period of Game 1, but just couldn’t convert with the momentum on their side and add an insurance goal to their one-point lead.
The Sens need to get more production from their forwards, and maybe young hometown hero Jean-Gabriel Pageau will be that guy. The 24-year-old Ottawa native scored a goal in each of the last two regular-season games, but was held to just one shot on goal in Game 1 and was penalized for delay of game in the first period.
Still, the Senators need to calm down and play more methodically based from what we’ve seen in Wednesday’ game. They committed 14 turnovers compared to just five from Boston.
Sadly, the team is also dealing with its fair share of injuries in the blue line. Top-line defenseman Marc Methot (finger) might not be able to suit up for a second-straight game, and even star defender Erik Karlsson was limited in practice the day after the opener with an ailing foot.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bruins (-115) steal another contest in Ontario, 3-1.
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