The Boston Bruins start their 2017 playoff run Wednesday night when they travel to Ottawa to face the Senators in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Bruins will be making their first appearance in the NHL playoffs since 2015.
Boston (44-31-7), will get back the services of Brad Marchand, who was suspended the last two games of the regular season for a spearing penalty. Marchand had a career season with 39 goals and 46 assists for 85 points in 80 games. Ottawa (44-28-10), got a big season from captain Erik Karlsson who registered 77 points, but blocked an astounding 201 shots.
This is the first time the teams will meet in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ottawa won the head to head regular season meetings going 3-0-1, with a shootout win over Boston.
The Bruins will be without defenseman Torey Krug with an lower body injury, that may result in him missing the entire series. Brandon Carlo also missed the final two periods of the season finale against the Capitals with an upper body injury. No exact time table is set for either Krugs or Carlos return. Boston did sign defenseman Charlie McAvoy to a three year entry level contract Monday to help the defense.
Goalie Tuuka Rask has been a solid performer, and much of the reason the Bruins are in the playoffs. But Rask played in 65 of the 82 games, which could hurt him in late game playoff situations.
The Bruins went 18-8-1 down the stretch of the regular season after the firing of Claude Julien, replacing him with Bruce Cassidy.
The Ottawa regular season success will mean nothing once the playoffs begin at 7 p.m. in Ottawa Wednesday night. These teams are evenly matched, resulting in a long series. I like Boston to advance simply with the experienced guys in their lineup. BRUINS IN 6 GAMES.
Boston vs Ottawa playoff schedule:
G1-Wednesday 4/12 at Ottawa 7 p.m.
G2-Saturday 4/15 at Ottawa 3 p.m.
G3-Monday 4/17 at Boston 7 p.m.
G4-Wednesday 4/19 at Boston 7:30 p.m.
G5-Friday 4/21 at Ottawa TBD
G6-Sunday 4/23 at Boston TBD
G7-Wednesday 4/26 at Ottawa TBD
