Senators vs. Bruins: Ottawa has plenty to prove in a crucial Game 1

The Boston Bruins are back in the playoffs for the first time in three years, and it’s hard not to feel good about their path to the Stanley Cup.

What an odd feeling, though. This is a team that looked done in February when they fired Claude Julien and promoted Bruce Cassidy to head coach. But the Bruins look like a hungry team re-finding its identity.

On the other end of the spectrum is their opponent, the Ottawa Senators. Under new coach Guy Boucher, the Senators enjoyed a strong season with a tighter defensive system than ever before. But they’ve faltered lately, setting up for an intriguing series between two division foes.

Ottawa swept the Bruins in their four divisional games, and two of them were decided by one goal or less. It’s worth noting that three of those games came in March, after the Bruins fired Claude Julien and began turning their season around. Boston never could capitalize on those huge, implication-filled games against the Senators late in the season.

Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins defensive prospect is an absolute stud. There’s no question about that. The United States doesn’t win the World Juniors and Boston University doesn’t make it out of the first round of the NCAA tournament without him. But he was never supposed to debut in the NHL this season.

Late-season injuries to Brandon Carlo and Torey Krug changed that. Now McAvoy is set to make his NHL debut in Game 1, paired with Zdeno Chara. No pressure.

Discipline. Brad Marchand returns from his two-game suspension following a blatant spear on Jake Dotchin last week. The Bruins winger could either be the series’ MVP or the goat Bruins fans blame for the team being on the penalty kill at awful times.

The same goes for Ottawa’s forwards. Alex Burrows is playing well after the Canucks traded him to the Senators, but he’s an agitator, as well. Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki led the NHL in penalty minutes this season, with Sens leader Dion Phaneuf right behind him.

Losing Game 1 because of reckless play isn’t exactly the right foot to get off on.

There’s no avoiding the fact the Senators limped into the playoffs with five wins in their last 15 games. The only reason suspense followed the Leafs into their final game was their hope they’d play the Senators and not the Capitals in the first round. A turnaround win for Ottawa in Game 1 would be nice, but we’re not seeing it. Bruins take Game 1.