With a crucial two points on the line in a tight Atlantic division, the Bruins did not show up early on in the game. Ottawa scored on their first two shots of the game to put the Bruins in an early hole.
Derick Brassard got the scoring going just 1:21 into the first period. Ottawa used their speed through the neutral zone to gain entry into the Bruins end. With the puck bouncing, Brassard picked up the puck and did a spin-o-rama shot from the top of the circles. The puck squeaked through the legs of Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask for the early 1-0 Sens lead.
Just over two minutes later, the Sens doubled their lead as the Bruins got sloppy in their own end. By not clearing the puck Dion Phaneuf took a shot from the point that was deflected by Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Pageau’s deflection beat Rask blocker side for the 2-0 lead just over three minutes in the hockey game.
The Bruins now had to play catch up hockey and got better later into the first period. Patrice Bergeron was able to inch the Bruins closer with a late goal. Brad Marchand was able to force an errant pass from the Senators defender. Torey Krug chipped the puck into space for Bergeron to pick up and do a quick turn around shot. Marchand was able to screen goaltender Craig Anderson enough to cut the lead to 2-1.
It looked like the late goal was going to spark the Bruins heading into the second period, but that did not happen. The Bruins came out flat in the second period and relied on Rask to bail them out way too much. The Sens outshot the Bruins 16-5 in the period and had the first seven chances of the period.
The Bruins also were forced to use their time out in the period because of the pressure the Senators were putting on the Bruins. The Krejci line continued to turn the puck over numerous times. This proved to be costly in a close game because the Bruins had to burn the time out because of their putrid play.
The only thing the Bruins did right in the second period was kill a penalty. It was the first penalty of the game that sent Drew Stafford to the box. The top ranked penalty kill held the Senators without a shot on their first man advantage.
The Bruins were fortunate to head into the third period only down by one goal, but would need a much better third period to come out on top. Unfortunately, it was the Senators who extended their two goal lead. David Pastrnak got his stick up on Phaneuf and got called for a penalty. Pastrnak did not sit long as it only took the Sens 14 seconds into the powerplay to score. Mike Hoffman was able to get a pass from Karlsson and rip a slapshot through a screen. The shot beat Rask and the Sens reestablished their two goal lead, 3-1.
The Bruins were finally able to draw their first powerplay of the game in the third period. Viktor Stalberg was called for interference and the Bruins were able to make them pay. The five man unit used a great entry into the attacking zone and scored 28 seconds into it. Pastrnak shot was turned aside by Anderson, but Marchand was able to get the rebound and put it into the open cage. The goal was Marchand’s 30th of the season. It is the second year in a row that Marchand has scored more 30 or more.
The Bruins had one last chance to try and tie the game as Marchand and Pastrnak just missed connecting in the slot area. Then the Bruins pulled Rask for the extra attacker, but they did not get much offense going. Brandon Carlo shot was blocked out front. Former Canuck and Bruins pest, Alexandre Burrows sprung the zone and was able to receive puck in the neutral zone. Carlo tried to recover, but it was too late as Burrows buried the empty netter for the 4-2 win.
The Bruins are now winless this season against both Ottawa and Toronto, the two teams battling with them for playoff positioning. The Bruins will play the Sens twice more on home ice and play Toronto one last time on the road.
The Bruins will look to get back on track as they travel back home on Wednesday night.They will be playing on Wednesday Night Rivalry night against another divisional foe in the Detroit Red wings.Puck drop is at 8:00.
