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Boston Bruins Lines and Pairings Against Ottawa Senators Game 4

By Brandon Share-Cohen

Apr 8, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Colin Miller (6) checks Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Colin Miller (6) checks Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins Lines and Pairings Against Ottawa Senators Game 4 With Colin Miller Expected Back

When the Boston Bruins take on the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night, they’ll be doing so looking to avoid a 3-1 series deficit. A win will tie the series up at two wins apiece heading back to Ottawa. For the Bruins, that’s the best case scenario. After losing a game where they were leading heading into the third period, and a game where they came back from a 3-0 deficit with games two and three, game four needs to be better.

Fortunately, the team will be getting some reinforcement come puck drop. While Tommy Cross was called up to fill in for the Bruins ailing blueline, the team needs its NHL defenders in the lineup. Cross played a less-than-stellar game, to say the least. The Bruins will be getting Colin Miller back Wednesday, though, which helps lighten the bleeding a little bit.

Lines and Pairings

Forwards:

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Backes

Drew Stafford-David Krejci-David Pastrnak

Dominic Moore-Riley Nash-Noel Acciari

Frank Vatrano-Ryan Spooner-Tim Schaller

Defense:

Zdeno Chara-Charlie McAvoy

Joe Morrow-Kevan Miller

John-Michael Liles-Colin Miller

Goaltender:

Tuukka Rask

For the second straight game, the Bruins will be getting some reinforcements to their lineup. Miller’s return is nice, but it still doesn’t account for even half of the team’s regular top-six. Torey Krug, Brandon Carlo and Adam McQuaid are all still missing from the lineup. As it stands, Krug seems unlikely to return this series. Carlo is inching closer to a return, but McQuaid’s status remains unknown.

Related Story: Colin Miller Expected to Play Game 4

Faster Start Needed

The Bruins need to get off to a quicker start than they did Monday. With the chance to go down 3-1 with a loss, a faster start is essential. Even more important, however, will be consistency throughout the entire 60-minute game. The Bruins have gotten off to quick starts in the past only to die down in the latter stages of games. If it isn’t acceptable in the regular season, it certainly isn’t acceptable in the postseason when every game is as crucial as the last.

Related Story: Bruins Lines and Pairings Game 3

When the puck drops, the Bruins will have a point to prove. Nobody can fault a team down so many players for losing games. A poor effort, however, simply will not be tolerated. It’s been three years since the team has won a game in the postseason at home –  for the city of Boston, a playoff win is needed.

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