The Boston Bruins were eliminated from playoff contention Saturday afternoon in their season finale at TD Garden while the Boston Celtics dropped a big Eastern Conference game at Atlanta Saturday night.
At the TD Garden, the Bruins got off to a solid start in their season finale against Ottawa but unfortunately it would all come crashing down in the second and third periods.
David Pastrnak scored just over five minutes into the first period to put the Bruins up 1-0, but that would be the last time Boston would find the net on the afternoon.
Chris Neil scored 1:42 into the second for Ottawa to make it 1-1 and his goal was followed by goals from Zack Smith, Matt Puempel and Mika Zibanejad all in the first 10 minutes of the period to make it 4-1 Senators.
With the home team in desperation mode, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Smith would add third period shorthanded goals with the Bruins net empty to finish off Boston by a final score of 6-1.
Andrew Hammond made 39 saves for Ottawa who finishes their season 38-35-9. Jonas Gustavsson, who was starting for Tuuka Rask who didn’t start due to illness, made 34 saves for the Bruins.
Boston, who was eliminated officially from a playoff appearance after Philadelphia defeated Pittsburgh later Saturday afternoon, finishes up at 42-31-9.
At Phillips Arena in Atlanta, the Boston Celtics put six players in double figures, but Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague had 31 and 24 points respectively to lead Atlanta to the 118-107 win.
Marcus Smart led Boston with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Isaiah Thomas had 16 points and six assists and Jae Crowder also poured in 16 points, had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Avery Bradley had 15 points, Amari Johnson 14 and Evan Turner with 11 as well for the Celts.
Atlanta (48-32) led by two at the end of the first quarter before Boston took a four point halftime advantage. Atlanta outscored the Celtics by six in the third to take a two point lead to the fourth and Millsap and company proved to be too much down the stretch by outscoring the Celtics by nine in the final 12 minutes of action to take the 11 point win.
Millsap shot 13-22 from the floor, hauled down 16 rebounds, and had five blocked shots as well as Atlanta reclaimed soul possession of third place in the Eastern Conference. Teague also had five rebounds and seven assists and Kent Bazemore also poured in 21 points to help the Hawks claim the victory. Atlanta will play on the road in Cleveland on Monday night at 7 p.m.
Boston (47-33) has just two regular season games remaining. The Celtics host the Charlotte Hornets on Monday at 7:30 p.m. before finishing out the regular season at 8 p.m. Wednesday also at home against the Miami Heat.
