Game 72 preview: Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins

The struggling Ottawa Senators will look to end a four-game losing when they visit the Boston Bruins tonight. The Senators had a chance to take over first place in the division with a strong showing on the weekend. However, losing both games has dropped them four points back of Montréal and they will be looking to hold off the Boston Bruins closing in on the battle for home ice in the first round.

Craig Anderson is expected to start again and make his third start in four nights. Tuukka Rask played last night against Toronto but he will likely play again tonight. Fredrik Claesson will be a healthy scratch while local prankster Mark Borowiecki continues to play.

Here are the expected lines and pairings:

Smith - Turris - Ryan
Dzingel - Brassard - Burrows
Hoffman - Pageau - Pyatt
Stålberg - Kelly - Wingels

Methot - Karlsson
Phaneuf - Ceci
Borowiecki - Wideman

Anderson (starter)
Condon

Some notes for tonight:

• The Sens had won six in a row. Then Bobby Ryan came back. Then the Senators lost four in a row. I am not saying it is his fault, but ooh aah Silfverberg!
• Brent Burns has gone without a point in six straight games, although he does have 25 shots on goal in that span. A strong finish by our friend Erik could lift him to the defenceman scoring title. He is currently five points back with a game in hand.
• The Bruins/Leafs game last night was 1-1 with two minutes left. It ended as a 4-2 Leafs win.
• The Senators have used 32 different skaters this season. The Bruins have used 29.
• Brad Marchand is two points behind Connor McDavid for the NHL scoring lead.
• Erik Karlsson is one of seven defencemen in NHL history with five or more seasons of 65+ points by age 26 and only the third to do it outside the 1980s.
• The Senators power play was absolutely atrocious on the weekend wasn't it? The 4-on-3 in overtime on Saturday was particularly discouraging as well as the first power play on Sunday.
• Ottawa has eight overtime losses at home but none on the road. That is a random stat that I mentioned for no reason.
• The Senators have scored more than one goal only once during their four-game losing streak.
• Mark Stone won't play tonight but apparently he is moving closer to a return. A much needed shot in the arm for the offence./

Here are some stats for the two teams tonight. All stats are from NHL.com except Corsi and Fenwick are from Corsica.