Boston Bruins Causeway gameday! Deja vu in Ottawa

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 27: Boston Bruins Jake DeBrusk and Ottawa Senators Nate Thompson battle for the puck and push a linesman (84) over the Bruins bench during a game at the TD Garden in Boston, Dec. 27, 2017. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 27: Boston Bruins Jake DeBrusk and Ottawa Senators Nate Thompson battle for the puck and push a linesman (84) over the Bruins bench during a game at the TD Garden in Boston, Dec. 27, 2017. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins five game win streak was snapped on Thursday night in a disappointing loss.  At least they have a good chance to rebound.

I am hereby calling on a joint NHL and United States Justice Department investigation of Ted Leonsis and the Washington Capitals.  They have built some sort of “Boston Bruins Win Forcefield” that completely eliminates any chance the Bruins have to beat the Capitals.

Yep, the Bruins lost on Thursday night, ending their win streak and dropping them to 14-3-2 in their last 19 games.  It was the usual outcome.  Bruins play the Capitals, Bruins lose to the Capitals.  Same story, different day.

Boston Bruins
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 28: David Backes

Bruins players fans were all smiles after 20 minutes, because the Bruins came out of the gate on fire and went up 2-0 very quickly.  Then, come the second period, the smiles turned into disgusted, yet not surprised grins.  The third was up-and-down, as was overtime.  The shootout baffled some people, but long story short, the Bruins left Washington with a point in the 4-3 shootout loss.

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The Bruins have a chance to get a new streak started in Ottawa against the Senators.  If you just started watching Bruins hockey on Thursday or you have a bad memory, the Bruins dominated the Senators from start to finish on Wednesday night in Boston.  The 5-1 win was one of the best games of the team’s season, and was a coming out party for the team’s 3rd line of Danton Heinen, Riley Nash, and David Backes.

Schedule

After a 7:30 p.m. start on Thursday in Washington (which they seem to do a lot), the puck drop for tonight is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.  The game takes place at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  New England locals can find the game on NESN, and 98.5 The Sports Hub.

What to watch for

There was a limited skate in Ottawa on Friday, and both David Krejci and Adam McQuaid participated.   No definitive statements as to whether they’ll take the ice tonight or not.  If they do, look for Matt Grzelcyk to sit, or even be sent down to Providence if the Bruins have to make a roster move.  Grzelcyk was more than serviceable replacing McQuaid during the injury, and has put together a solid resume for the future.

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If McQuaid AND Krejci return, the Bruins will have to make a roster move and they’ll have to send someone to Providence to satisfy roster limits.  My vote is for Anders Bjork.  He has been playing a game of hide-and-seek with fans, and he is winning that game.  He was basically non-existent in Thursday night’s game, and only played 6:53 of the game.  He could use a bit of play in the AHL to get his play back up.  Spooner can easily play wing, and your 4 centers can be Bergeron, Krejci, Nash, and Kuraly.