Boston Bruins Look For Fifth Straight Victory: Seventh Player Award Night

The Boston Bruins—4-0-1 in their last five—look to win their fifth straight tonight at the TD Banknorth Garden against the Ottawa Senators. The Bruins are 4-0 against the Sens this season and are eyeing their seventh straight victory, dating back to last season, over Ottawa.

The Black and Gold (108 points) have six games remaining, a seven point lead in the Eastern Conference, and one game in hand over the Washington Capitals (101 points).

We are finally watching a Bruins team that is getting hot at just the right time. The Bruins have outscored their opponents in their last four victories, 18-10.

On the other hand, Boston has been out-shot by a substantial margin in their last four wins, 131-153.

Goalies Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez have split the time in net evenly, both notching “W’s” in each of the two.

Thomas stopped 86 of 90 total shots he faced against the New Jersey Devils (4-1) and the Philadelphia Flyers (4-3), while Fernandez blocked 57 of 63 shots in wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1).

The Big Bad Bruins have been showcasing their physical game as well, out-hitting teams 114-108 in their last five. Take that plus seven fighting majors and a handful of matching roughing penalties, the Bruins refuse to be pushed around.

Phil Kessel is expected to miss his fourth straight game with an ailing shoulder, while bruiser Shawn Thornton is expected to miss his second straight with an undisclosed injury.

Last Five Games

Chuck Kobasew and Marc Savard each have points.

Mark Recchi: Six points and one PPG.

Michael Ryder: Six points, one PPG.

Milan Lucic: Five points, two fighting majors, 12 PIM.

David Krejci: Eight points.

Tonight is the annual NESN Seventh Player Award.