Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference First Round Game Four – April 19, 2017
It’s been a helluva ride for the Ottawa Senators in this first-round playoff series. They couldn’t hold onto a one-goal lead in the opener, came back from a two-goal deficit in the next game—which was capped off by Dion Phaneuf’s overtime winner—and then Monday night’s win in Game 3 wasn’t the cleanest of victories.
The Senators squandered a three-goal advantage in the third meeting before eventually winning it via Bobby Ryan’s tip-in during the extra period. That allowed them to take a 2-1 edge in the series and reclaim home-ice advantage, but for sure, they can expect a big retaliation from the Bruins in Game 4.
Thus, Ottawa better be ready to match their play and level of intensity, which should somewhat help silence a raucous TD Garden crowd, as well.
Derick Brassard and the above-mentioned Ryan has been the main difference makers for the Senators, as each already have two goals in the series. Meanwhile, Craig Anderson’s effort between the pipes has been just acceptable. He saved 17 of 20 shots in Game 3.
In a nutshell, Monday’s Game 3 was a bad start with a bitter ending for the Boston Bruins, who now face a 1-2 series deficit after losing the previous two meetings—both games went into overtime.
Although they lost, the Bruins went on a furious comeback in the second period to make up for their miserable start in the third game. They went on an all-out attack, generating three quick goals on seven shots, including two in a mere span of 42 seconds.
That’s exactly the kind of play, and aggression, which Boston needs to show up with from start to finish in a must-win Game 4.
David Pastrnak has one goal and two helpers in the series thus far, while four other Bruins also have each scored once. Goalie Tuukka Rask, however, has yielded a total of eight goals after his strong performance in Game 1, where he knocked off 26 of 27 shots.
