Senators vs. Bruins preview: Surging Sens can eliminate Bruins in Game 5

The Boston Bruins are banged up and on the ropes. It’s up to the Ottawa Senators to push them up and over on Friday.

Boston visits Ottawa for Game 5 tonight, down 3-1 in the first round series and on the verge of exiting the playoffs altogether. Bruins fans were thrilled when their team avoided a first-round dance with the Washington Capitals, but the Senators are proving they aren’t pushovers.

After a shutout win in Game 4, Ottawa must be ready to close out their division rivals in front of their home fans.

The Senators’ all-around game is rounding into form. It’s been a process, though. The offensive threats were always there, and Erik Karlsson and Bobby Ryan have only gotten better as the series has progressed. But shutting out Boston in Game 4 was the peak. In low-chance, low-scoring game, the Senators made the defensive plays they needed to. Their confidence must be maxed out.

Boston’s playmakers. The Bruins have yet to let a game truly get away from them, but they haven’t been able to make big plays to turn tides in their favor. If they’re to force a Game 6, Boston needs goals from David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, or Patrice Bergeron. Their stars must carry them. Not just Tuukka Rask, either.

How much Erik Karlsson controls it. Most of Boston’s problems trace back to the Ottawa captain, who’s putting up a first round for the ages. Bruce Cassidy has yet to find an effective counter for when Karlsson is on the ice, especially late in close games. If Karlsson is at his best again, you’ll notice immediately.

It feels like the Bruins are running out of steam. Injuries will do that. At the same time, the Senators look more poised and electric than they have in a month. Something tells us they will end this tonight. Senators take Game 5, and the series.