This game is also one of the Bruins' biggest games of the season thus far. The Senators trail the Bruins by just one point for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Hence, it is incredibly important for the Bruins to secure a win, especially with the Senators having two games in hand.

Knocking on the door along with Ottawa are perennial Atlantic Division also-rans Montreal and Detroit. Also in the Eastern Conference mix are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hopped over the Bruins in the standings on Thursday and are everyone’s sentimental favorite in this surprise run after the Johnny Gaudreau tragedy last summer.