Bruins vs. Senators Preview

Without Zdeno Chara for a second straight game, the Bruins play host to the Ottawa Senators. After a thoroughly miserable start to the season, Ottawa has played a lot more like the team I thought they'd be this season over the past couple months. At 26-21-11, they start the day at fifth in the Atlantic Division, one point behind Detroit, and their 63 points would put them tied for the last playoff spot in the West. Oh, that weak Western Conference!

Chad Johnson probably starts today, since the Bruins have some conspiracy to start him whenever I'm in the press box. It's worth noting, I suppose, that after a couple of years where the Bruins had dominated the Senators, they've lost two of three to Ottawa so far this season.

Senators Lines:

Clarke MacArthur - Kyle Turris - Bobby Ryan

Milan Michalek - Jason Spezza - Mika Zibanejad

Erik Condra - Stephane Da Costa - Cory Conacher

Chris Neil - Colin Greening - Zack Smith

Senators Defensive Pairings:

Jared Cowen - Erik Karlsson

Marc Methot - Eric Gryba

Cody Ceci - Patrick Wiercoch

Senators Goalies:

Craig Anderson

Robin Lehner

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The Senators recent run of good Hockey hasn't changed the fact that Paul MacLean switches his lines up at the drop of the hat, so be prepared to see many different combinations of the Ottawa coach doesn't like what he sees. Jared Cowen, a notable weak link in the Senators defense, has been paired with the all-world Erik Karlsson lately, so thanks for that.

Our rival blog is Silver Seven. Be courteous if you decide to check them out, not that I'd expect anything else out of you all.

Bruins Lines:

Brad Marchand -  Patrice Bergeron - Reilly Smith

Milan Lucic - David Krejci - Jarome Iginla

Chris Kelly - Carl Soderberg - Loui Eriksson

((((((MERLOT))))))

Bruins Defensive Pairings:

We're still without the big man (pictured above), and after Matt Bartkowski led the led in TOI last game, your guess is really as good as mine. But for yuks:

Torey Krug - Johnny Boychuk

Dougie Hamilton - Matt Bartkowski

David Warsofsky - Kevan Miller

Bruins Goalies:

Tuuuuuuuuuuuuuka Rask

"Hi I'm" Chad Johnson

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Again, my best guess is we see Chad Johnson in net, since he's grabbed a few matinee starts after Thursday games, but I wouldn't rule out seeing Tuukka either.

Puck drop is at 3 PM EST. I'll be taking care of the game threads today, as Sarah is busy today yelling "'Murica" at Olympic videos. See you there!