Boston Bruins vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions November 9th 2024

Goaltenders, ‘Brothers for Life’ Ready for Bruins-Senators Showdown

This Saturday, fans are in for a treat as two familiar faces-turned-rivals face off in a potential goaltending duel when the Boston Bruins host the Ottawa Senators. Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, who formed one of the league’s best goaltending duos for three seasons in Boston, will now find themselves on opposite ends of the ice in their first head-to-head matchup since Ullmark was traded to Ottawa in July.

Old Friends Turned Rivals

The partnership between Swayman and Ullmark in Boston was nothing short of exceptional, and the duo’s chemistry was often praised both on and off the ice. Together, they helped Boston to multiple deep playoff runs and cemented a winning culture in the locker room. However, the offseason shakeup saw Ullmark heading to Ottawa, and Swayman taking on a new role as Boston’s undisputed No. 1 goaltender.

Despite their newfound rivalry, the bond between the two remains strong.

“It still feels like I have his presence around here,” Swayman said. “The traditions that we had still live on. We’re brothers for life.”

The bond is clearly rooted in respect and camaraderie, even as they prepare to face each other from opposite creases.

Bruins Building Confidence

The Bruins (10-3-1) have won three of their last four games, thanks in part to the steady play of Swayman. The young goaltender, fresh off signing an eight-year, $66 million contract extension, has shouldered the No. 1 role well. Despite a rocky start to the season with a 4-5-1 record and an .894 save percentage, Swayman has shown glimpses of his elite form.

In Sunday’s 23-save shutout against Seattle, Swayman demonstrated his capability to lock down the net when it matters most. Meanwhile, Joonas Korpisalo stepped up on Thursday, making 34 saves in Boston’s thrilling 4-3 overtime win over the Calgary Flames. The game-winning goal came courtesy of captain Brad Marchand, who extended his franchise record with his 21st career overtime goal.

“His second and third effort needs to become contagious on our team,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said of Marchand’s leadership. “He’s a great leader.”

Ullmark’s Adjustment Period in Ottawa

For Linus Ullmark, the transition to Ottawa has been challenging. The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner has struggled to find his rhythm with his new team, posting a 2-4-0 record with an .892 save percentage. The Senators (7-6-0) have been inconsistent, recently dropping back-to-back games, including a 4-2 loss to the Islanders on Thursday.

Despite the rocky start, Ullmark remains optimistic.

“It’s going to be exciting for me to go in there and battle my heart out,” Ullmark said. “At the end of the day, the sun will rise tomorrow. It’s a new hockey game, and I’m happy about that.”

Ottawa’s Emerging Depth

The Senators have shown flashes of brilliance this season, particularly at home, where they’ve won five of their seven games. However, inconsistency has plagued their performance. In Thursday’s loss, Anton Forsberg started in net, making 21 saves, while forward Tim Stutzle assisted on goals by Nick Jensen and Drake Batherson.

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Senators coach Travis Green pointed to early mistakes as the team’s downfall.

“Our execution was off, some of our decision-making with the puck wasn’t good enough early,” Green said. “When we figured that out, our game picked up.”

Key Players to Watch

• Brad Marchand (Boston): The Bruins captain has been in stellar form, using his leadership to rally his teammates. His knack for clutch performances, like Thursday’s overtime goal, makes him a key threat against Ottawa.
• Alex Ovechkin (Ottawa): Ovechkin continues to show why he’s one of the game’s all-time greats. With six goals in his last five games, he’s a force the Bruins will need to contain.
• Adam Gaudette (Ottawa): The Massachusetts native and former Northeastern University standout has been a revelation for the Senators this season. With six goals in five games, Gaudette has added much-needed depth to Ottawa’s forward lines.

Outlook for Saturday’s Matchup

Saturday’s clash between the Bruins and Senators promises to be an intense battle between two teams with different trajectories early in the season. The Bruins, with their combination of veteran leadership and emerging young talent, are building confidence as they seek to solidify their position in the Atlantic Division standings.

Meanwhile, the Senators are hoping to stop their current slide and find consistency as they look to climb up the standings. For Linus Ullmark, it will be a chance to prove himself against his former team, while Swayman will aim to show that he’s ready to lead the Bruins into a new era.

Whether it’s a clash of goaltenders or a shootout among the forwards, fans can expect an exciting game as these Atlantic Division rivals face off.