Senators at Bruins
The Ottawa Senators silenced their critics in the first two games of the season and look to continue that trend when they visit the Atlantic Division-rival Boston Bruins on Monday afternoon. The Senators, widely predicted to finish with one of the worst records in the league by season’s end, have scored eight goals and earned three points in their opening two contests after defeating Toronto 5-3 on Saturday with a hard-working effort.
“That’s got to be the identity of our team,” Ottawa coach Guy Boucher told reporters after the win. “We know we’re not going to go out there and bulldoze our way through because we have high-end power like (the Maple Leafs) do. We know that. So we approach our games as one game at a time. We came in here wanting to grow, and we did.” The Senators did not have much luck in the 2017-18 season series as they were outscored 18-5 in four losses to the Bruins, who followed an embarrassing 7-0 loss at Washington in their season opener with a solid 4-0 win at Buffalo on Thursday. “We all knew to a man, from the coaching staff on down, that we weren’t good enough (against the Capitals), so we needed to be better, and we were,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters. “Guys we count on led and the followers followed. That’s the way it’s scripted, and it worked out for us.” Brad Marchand has produced four assists in the first two contests while linemates Patrice Bergeron (one goal, one assist) and David Pastrnak (goal, nine shots) also have contributed.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, TSN5, RDS2 (Ottawa), NESN (Boston)
ABOUT THE SENATORS (1-0-1): Thomas Chabot, a 21-year-old defenseman, was expected to step up his game with the departure of two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and has with two goals and two assists thus far. Blue-liners have accounted for half of Ottawa’s goals, with rookie Maxime Lajoie scoring his first in the overtime loss to Chicago and Dylan DeMelo (plus-5) recording one against Toronto. Craig Anderson started each of the Senators' first two contests, giving up seven goals on 80 shots, but Massachusetts native Mike Condon is expected to get the call against Boston.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (1-1-0): Tuukka Rask will start the home opener on Monday after giving up five goals on 19 shots in the loss at Washington and sitting out in favor of backup Jaroslav Halak on Thursday. “Good game or bad game, you flush it off right afterward and get some work done the next time you get out there. Then you try to get a win in your next start,” Rask told reporters. “That’s kind of your mindset throughout the year. Things go up and down.” Chris Wagner could return to the lineup Monday in place of fellow forward Joakim Nordstrom, who registered three shots in the first two games.
OVERTIME
1. Senators LW Brady Tkachuk (groin), the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft, is expected to make his NHL debut on Monday.
2. Ottawa LW Tom Pyatt and Boston D John Moore both need one point to reach 100 for their careers.
3. Bruins C Danton Heinen scored a team-high three goals and matched RW David Backes for the most points (five) against Ottawa in 2017-18.