(Sports Network) - A pair of red-hot Northeast Division rivals will meet
Thursday in Boston, as the Bruins host the Ottawa Senators in a showdown at TD
Garden.
The Senators are in the midst of a five-game winning streak while Boston has
won its last four outings to improve to 12-2-2 on the season. The clubs are
tied for second in the division with 26 points each, three back of first-place
Montreal.
Thursday's contest is the first of five scheduled encounters between the
Bruins and Sens this season. Boston has dominated the series recently, winning
nine of the last 10 matchups overall. Ottawa was able to halt a four-game
losing streak in Boston with a 1-0 decision at TD Garden on Feb. 28, 2012.
Ottawa's current winning streak is the club's longest since winning six
straight from Oct. 20-30 of last season. The resilient team has gone on this
hot streak without the services of star defenseman Erik Karlsson, who went
down with a season-ending Achilles injury on Feb. 13.
The Sens also posted the last two wins without the help of No. 1 goaltender
Craig Anderson, who is dealing with a sprained ankle. Ben Bishop has been
excellent in Anderson's place and is expected to get a third straight start on
Thursday.
Ottawa's most recent win came after Peter Regin's goal in the fifth round of
the shootout, but a 44-save effort from Bishop was also key in Monday's 2-1
decision over the visiting Montreal Canadiens.
Bishop stopped 12 shots in the first period, turned aside 18 more in the
second and finished with 15 saves over the third period and overtime.
"Bishop to King-3, Checkmate," Ottawa coach Paul MacLean said with a smile.
"It was all Ben Bishop tonight."
Dave Dziurzynski scored in regulation for the Senators, who improved to 9-1-2
on home ice.
Thursday's tilt marks the start of a five-game road trip for Ottawa. The Sens
are just 3-5-0 as the visiting team in 2013.
The Bruins have more than doubled up the opposition during their winning
streak, outscoring teams by a combined 15-6 margin over the last four games.
The four consecutive victories also came at the end of a five-game road trip,
improving Boston's record as the guest this season to 8-1-1.
Boston will play three straight and five of its next six games at home and is
4-1-1 in Beantown this season.
The Bruins are coming off Tuesday's 4-1 win over the New York Islanders. Brad
Marchand and David Krejci tallied in the second period to lead Boston to
victory and improve the team's February record to 7-1-1.
Adam McQuaid scored in the first period and Gregory Campbell added a late
marker for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask made 36 saves and is now 10-1-2 on the
season.
"Good to get the win," said Rask. "You've got to be confident when you're
winning, but you've got to realize we're not playing a full 60 minutes."
Next up for the Bruins is Saturday's contest against Tampa Bay. That will mark
the first meeting between the clubs in Boston this season since the initial
encounter at TD Garden on Feb. 9 was postponed due to a blizzard. The
postponed game was rescheduled for April 25.
The Sports Network