The playoff window continues to close for the Boston Bruins.
In wake of a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night — along with a win for the Ottawa Senators over the San Jose Sharks Monday — Boston now sits one point behind the Sens for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
With Boston stuck in an 0-3-2 rut with nine games remaining this season, the Bruins’ postseason hopes are now intertwined with Ottawa, limiting the black and gold to essentially two tangible scenarios if it wants playoff hockey to get underway at TD Garden in the next few weeks.
Finish strong
Despite their recent skid, the Bruins could salvage their playoff positioning by ending the 2014-15 regular season on a high note, staving off the red-hot Senators in the process.
However, it will not come easy for coach Claude Julien’s squad. Of their nine remaining games this year, five will feature opponents that are currently slated to make the playoffs, including the Lightning, Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers.
Competition aside, Boston will also be at a disadvantage due to injuries. Playmaking center David Krejci — who hasn’t played in over a month due to a knee injury — is still considered “day to day” after failing to return to the ice over the weekend.
Meanwhile, defenseman Dougie Hamilton is sidelined after suffering an undisclosed injury during Saturday’s game against the Panthers. It has yet to be determined when Hamilton will return to the blue line, with Providence Bruins defenseman Zack Trotman called up in his stead for now.
Pray that Ottawa cools off
While Boston continues to slump down the standings, Ottawa is currently laying waste to the rest of the league.
The scorching Senators have only lost one game in regulation since Feb. 18 — buoyed by the performance of Andrew Hammond in net.
Hammond, who made just one appearance for Ottawa off the bench last season, has posted an impressive record of 14-0-1 this season with a .946 save percentage and a 1.67 goals-against average. The Bowling Green product has been shaky as of late — relinquishing nine goals in his last three games — but has been able to come away with three wins after being bailed out by an offense that has lit the lamp 16 times during that stretch.
Ottawa’s impressive play might put them in the driver’s seat when it comes to beating out Boston for a playoff spot, but the Sens are also helped out by the fact that they have another game in hand of the Bruins, giving them an additional opportunity to make up ground during the final weeks of the 2014-15 campaign.
As Julien and Co. try to claw their way into the playoffs, optimism amongst Bruins fans is at an all-time low.
Based on recent track record of the Senators, can anyone blame them?
