Senators vs. Bruins: Game 1 prediction

Boston was outshot 12-0 in the second and were fortunate to trail by just one.

The 19-year old Boston Bruins defenceman got his first taste of National Hockey League life in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division semifinal on Wednesday night against the Ottawa Senators.

Thursday is much better. “But throughout this whole process, I think I’ve done a good job of catching my breath, taking a step back, and saying, ‘Don’t let this moment slip away.’ Because this is something I’ve been working for my whole life”. Miller returned to the game later in the period. It has been a tumultuous season with the firing of Claude Julien, the promotion of “interim” coach Bruce Cassidy, and the latter’s ability to take this team into a situation where they are at least playing, and not watching from the comfort of their home. When asked about McAvoy, Cassidy downright beamed with a sly grin that made him look like the Cheshire Cat. Ottawa’s power play was a lowly No. 23 (17.0%) while their penalty kill was similarly weak at No. 22 (79.7%). Boucher felt the extra two days rest would benefit Methot, who is dealing with an injury to his left pinky finger.

“There’s going to be guys playing way above what you were expecting and there’s going to be guys playing below what you were expecting and that’s why it’s very dynamic”, said Boucher. “We’ll deal with it”.

“It’s my decision”, Boucher said. “We got a little bit cute in the third and we were anxious about where we were going to put it instead of making sure it got out”, Karlsson said. “For me, it’s can he shoot?” “We blocked quite a few shots in the second too. It’s not like I’m getting a ton of shots 5-on-5 on the offensive blueline”, said Methot with a chuckle, after he failed to score a goal in 68 games during the regular season, generating only 69 shots on goal. He is projected to be paired with Zdeno Chara, but he did see some time with Kevan Miller during the morning skate. This game is being played in the afternoon because the Dixie Chicks were in the Canadian Tire Centre on Friday night, kicking off their North American tour, and the Maple Leafs will play Game 2 of their series against the Washington Capitals Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada.

“It’s a tough one, but we’re set up for a long series against them and I like our speed and our compete level”. “Whether it’s the first or it’s the fourth or the fifth you’ve got to regroup”.

If you look at the season series, you would likely think that Ottawa should easily win this. Coach Guy Boucher shuffled his lines at Tuesday’s practice by moving Zack Smith (sidelined the past six games) to center on the fourth line while pairing Jean-Gabriel Pageau with forwards Mike Hoffman and slumping Mark Stone. We’re going to take care of our part, we’re going to try and do the things that we didn’t do good enough and do them better and keep the good things the way that we did. “I can’t believe we missed this all season; he has impressed me so much”.

It allowed the Bruins more freedom to roam and on two shifts in the third period, after hemming Ottawa in its own end for extended lengths of time, Boston broke through with two goals that proved the difference. “I feel good about our team”. “Our players have grown real fast this year”.