The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET on NESN and ESPN+. Fans looking to watch this Bruins game can do so for free by using FuboTV ($30 off first month) or DirecTV Stream, which both offer a free trial. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available to stream the game.

Back-to-back divisional wins following their 0-5-1 skid have helped the Bruins take a one-point lead for the final wild-card spot in the East, though the Senators have two games in hand.

This game is also one of the Bruins' biggest games of the season thus far. The Senators trail the Bruins by just one point for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Hence, it is incredibly important for the Bruins to secure a win, especially with the Senators having two games in hand.

At 5-on-5, the Bruins have allowed shot attempts at a higher rate than every team in the league since the calendar flipped. Only the Chicago Blackhawks, who find themselves in the basement of the NHL, have conceded more shots on target during that span. The Bruins have struggled mightily to limit shots.

It's not too early to think about playoff implications for the Bruins, who have an important game coming on Saturday.

The Bruins are currently in a playoff spot but a lot of times are coming for them. First up on Saturday, the Ottawa Senators.

A victory against the Bruins is paramount because the Senators can move into the final wild-card spot in the East with a win over Boston and begin to close the gap with the rest of the division. That’s why it makes sense for the club to stick with Merilainen.

The Senators are just one point behind the Bruins for the final wildcard spot in the National Hockey League’s Eastern Conference as the teams face off at the Canadian Tire Centre. That’s why this is a big one.

BOTTOM LINE: Atlantic Division opponents meet when the Ottawa Senators take on the Boston Bruins. Ottawa has gone 22-18-4 overall with a 5-3-1 record against the Atlantic Division. The Senators have a 20-3-2 record in games they score three or more goals.

Knocking on the door along with Ottawa are perennial Atlantic Division also-rans Montreal and Detroit. Also in the Eastern Conference mix are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hopped over the Bruins in the standings on Thursday and are everyone’s sentimental favorite in this surprise run after the Johnny Gaudreau tragedy last summer.

The Senators will be without their top goaltender in Linus Ullmark when they faceoff against the Boston Bruins today at 3 p.m. The Ottawa Senators acquired Linus Ullmark from the Bruins in the off-season, but has been out for awhile with an upper-body injury.