The final regular-season game will be a very important one for the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.
While the Bruins will be focused on winning the Northeast Division title Sunday night, the visiting Senators have an opportunity to move up a spot and avoid high-powered Pittsburgh in the first round.
The regular season was originally scheduled to end Saturday, but this game was postponed from April 15 in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Boston (28-13-6) has been vying with Montreal for the Northeast lead for most of the season and the Bruins will have the final say as they chase their third straight division title.
Facing the Senators (24-17-6) would appear to be a favorable matchup for the Bruins, winners of five straight and 13 of 14 in the series. Boston has outscored Ottawa 23-11 while taking six of seven home meetings.
A win of any kind would put the Senators in a first-round matchup with Montreal, while an overtime or shootout loss means a meeting with Boston. A regulation loss would leave Ottawa as the No. 8 seed and set up a series against the Penguins.
Offense has been an issue all season for Ottawa and the power play has contributed very little lately. After going scoreless on five opportunities Saturday, the Senators are 2 for 22 with the man advantage in the last seven games.
Generating offense in this game may not be easy regardless of which Boston goalie starts. Rask has posted a 1.21 goals-against average while winning his four career starts against Ottawa, and backup Anton Khudobin is 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA lifetime in the series. Khudobin has won both meetings this season, including a career-high 45-save performance in a 3-2 victory April 2.
Anderson, who hasn't faced the Bruins this season, has gone 1-7-0 with a 4.20 GAA in his last eight meetings.
Backup Robin Lehner has been much better, posting a 2.13 GAA in six starts versus Boston despite a 1-3-2 record.
NHL(31) OTTAWA @ (32) BOSTON | 04/28/2013 - 7:05 PM
Play UNDEROTTAWA on the total in All games second half of the season
The record is 10 Overs and 29 Unders this season (+18.70 units)
NHL(31) OTTAWA @ (32) BOSTON | 04/28/2013 - 7:05 PM
Play UNDEROTTAWA on the total in All games in all games
The record is 10 Overs and 29 Unders this season (+18.70 units)
GOALIES as of 5:00PM CT
(OTT) Robin Lehner - CONFIRMED
(BOS) Tuukka Rask - UNCONFIRMED
BRUINS are the better team. BRUINS have the better goalie. BRUINS have the best shot at winning this one and taking the Northeast Division title. I like BOSTON a lot in this one. LET'S GO BRUINS
3u BRUINS -120 (3way line)
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