The Boston Bruins finished Game No. 81 of the 2017-18 season with a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators Saturday night at TD Garden. The Bruins conclude the season against the Florida Panthers on Sunday on home ice.
Since the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime that means Game. 82 for the Bruins could determine whether or not they finish atop the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division with a win. A win in any fashion will give the Bruins the title.
Pregame notes
Rick Nash participated in the team's morning skate but will not be in the lineup tonight. Coach Bruce Cassidy said there's a possibility the veteran forward could return for the season finale on Sunday against the Panthers at TD Garden.
Nash confirmed he suffered a concussion after he took a "shoulder or a forearm" to the head against the Lightning on March 17. It was interesting that he was wearing a tinted shield during the morning skate, which is something he wasn't wearing prior to his exit from the lineup 10 games ago. Nash said he was dealing with headaches after the hit and just needed time to heal properly. As much as he wants to return for at least one game before the playoffs, he also described it as a Catch-22 because he believes an extra five days of rest and preparation could help in the long run.
Observations from the first period
- Strong start for the Bruins.
- Bruins doing a better job of creating a five-man attack, which has been lacking of late.
- Charlie McAvoy with a strong rush and appears to have shaken the rust from his recent injury hiatus. He admitted it would take him a couple of games but he promised to be ready to go at full tilt for the playoffs.
- David Krejci has the ability to draw a penalty with his patience with the puck. Bruins get the first PP of the game.
- McAvoy is so good at retrieving pucks.
- Senators kill off the penalty. Bruins 0-for-1 on the PP.
- Ottawa takes a 1-0 lead with 7:29 remaining in the first period. Anton Khudobin could have been screened on that shot.
- Puck management an issue the last couple of shifts.
- Brian Gionta is fired up tonight. Gaining a lot of attention from the Senators.
- By my count, give or take a few seconds, the Bruins kept the puck outside of their zone for 11:35.47 during even-strength play in the first period. There was only one penalty in the period and the Senators killed it off.
- The Bruins are 20-17-6 when allowing the first goal of the game. Also, Boston is 6-13-5 when trailing after the first period.
- Bruins avoid a too-many-men penalty by a heads-up play by Tim Schaller.
- Late call by the ref but McQuaid going off for interference.
- Bruins kill it off with the help from a big pad save by Khudobin.
- Mark Borowiecki with a bad hit on Jake DeBrusk. Bruins get their second power play.
- And, only five seconds into the man-advantage, the Bruins score to tie the game at 1-1. Pastrnak with the one-timer.
- Bruins quickly gain a 2-1 lead on Tommy Wingels' goal.
- Plenty of loose pucks in front for the Bruins this period.
- Great stick by DeBrusk to cut off the passing lane net drive by the Senators.
- Big save by by Khudobin to stifle a 2-on-1. Stones Ryan Dzingel.
- A few timely saves for the Bruins' netminder.
- Impressed with McAvoy game so far tonight. He's engaged.
- Sick wrister by Danton Heinen and the Bruins have a 3-1 lead.
- Relentless forecheck by Noel Acciari.
- By my count, give or take a few seconds, the Bruins kept the puck outside of their zone for 12:03.98 during even-strength play in the second period. There were only two penalties in the period. The Bruins scored a power play only five seconds into the man-advantage. Boston killed off McQuaid's penalty.
- In case you're wondering, Hurricanes lead the Lightning 2-1 after two periods.
- Acciari gives the Bruins a 4-2 lead with 1:51 remaining in regulation.
- Bruins are 32-0-4 this season when leading after two periods.
- Talk about crashing the net. Yard sale for Khudobin and there's no goal on the play for Ottawa. Not even close.
- Gionta is doing everything the Bruins had hoped he would provide in Boston.
- Sustained forecheck by Boston's top line leads to a power play.
- Ryan Donato hit with a shot and hobbles off the ice. Being tended to by team trainer on the bench. He goes to the locker room now.
- Senators cut their deficit to one goal. Boston with a 3-2 lead with 12:53 remaining in regulation.
- Pastrnak kept his legs moving the entire shift and draws a penalty.
- Tough icing call by Krug on the power play. He's visibly upset on that play.
- The Lightning and Hurricanes are tied at 2-2 with under eight minutes to play.
- Huge kill for the Bruins. Boston with a 3-2 lead with 5:04 remaining in regulation.