Game 41 Preview: Ottawa @ Bruins BATTLE OF THE BITERS

Jan 8, 2009 7:00 PM ET

TV: NESN

Radio: WBZ

vs. Ottawa Senators

Notes:

• Ottawa is not having a great year. "Tank for Tavares" talk is pretty prevalent among fans.  The owner said he wasn't going to fire the GM or coach.
• Lucic is out with an undisclosed day-to-day, Sturm and Bergeron are on the IR, Ference stopped skating, Hnidy didn't participate in practice yesterday because his eye was swollen shut and won't play.
• Tim Thomas, Marc Savard, and Zdeno Chara were all honored today, but not by robots.
• Jaarko Ruutu is out tonight for the first of two games for biting.  Marc Savard once got 1 game for that, but he bit Darcy Tucker.  I think that deserves a medal.
• Thornton: "I’ve never been bit, thank God. Not on the ice."
• Carrie Underwood may be in the crowd.  I feel so dirty for knowing that.
• Puck the Media has quite the biting article on AOL FanHouse, and I unfortunately agree.
• Martin St. Pierre was named to the AHL all-star game, which will be televised.  He counters:  Tonight's game will be televised, too.
• The Sens may be tired because they are on their 8th straight road trip.
• The Bruins should keep out of the box in this one.  Duh.

Previous Games:

• Game 4: Bruins 4 OTT 2: Sox were in the ALCS at the time. It's been a while for a division rival. This is the first home game against them. We'll probably have like 4 games in a row in march or something.
  

Other Previews:

• WickedBruinsFan: "What the heck is with both teams' goaltenders sharing the exact same save percentage? Weird."
• HubHockey: "The Bruins just came off one of its longest win streaks ever about a week ago, yet today the team is in trouble? Last time I checked sitting atop your Division and Conference was a good thing."
• Double A Hockey: "PJAX still needs one more goal for his career 100th goal."
• Stanley Cup of Chowder: "The Bruins will look to end their New Year's hangover (1-2-0 in '09)"
• Sens Army Blog: No preview up right now, but they're behind the No Habs No campaign.
• Matt Kalman: "It’s hard to believe that at this time last year the Ottawa Senators were sitting pretty with a 27-10-4 record."
• The Bear Cave: "Although they are division rivals, this will be just the second meeting of the season between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators."
• Print Media: Globe | Herald
  
• NESN First Shift: "Gerber will start for the Sens."
  
• Bruins.nhl.com: Preview | Game Notes (pdf)

Stats:

GO BRUINS!