The Bruins will try to bounce back from yesterday's 2-1 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils tonight when they host the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. Both teams enter tonight's game with 29 points and are tied for first place in the Northeast Division, although the Bruins have played two more games than the Senators. Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien indicated yesterday that Tim Thomas, who missed the last 6 games with a hand injury could return today. Meanwhile, Ottawa is looking for their second straight win after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Thanksgiving.
Know Your Enemy
Ottawa Senators (13-7-3)
Head Coach: Cory Clouston
Season Series: 2nd of 6 meetings; Bruins won the first meeting 4-3 in a shootout back on October 24th after the B's staged an epic late third period comeback.
Leading Goal Scorer:
Goaltending:
Injury Report
Notes:
- Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice during the morning skate for the Bruins, indicating that he will likely be the starter tonight.
- Neither team has lost in regulation this season to a Northeast Division opponent. The Bruins are 3-0-1 against division rivals, while the Senators are 4-0-1.
- Ottawa goalie Pacal Leclaire is expected to miss four weeks with a broken cheekbone after being struck in the face with puck while sitting on the bench during a game against the Washington Capitals on Monday.
- Senators forward Jonathan Cheechoo's birthplace might be my new favorite name for a town: Moose Factory, Ontario
- Fun Fact: According to Jason Spezza's Wikipedia page, he is a former youth model and appeared in commercials for Minute Maid and Kmart.
- Tim Thomas has recorded 3 of his 15 career NHL shutouts vs. Ottawa.
- Tonight's game starts at 7:00 can be seen on NESN. For our friends to the North, tonight's game will be featured on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. The open thread starts at 6:30.
- For more on tonight's game from an Ottawa perspective, check out Silver Seven
Today's Obligatory Embarrassing Senators Fan YouTube Video