Ottawa @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 9, 2018 ) Boston 2, Ottawa 1

After using a pair of great escapes to match the second-longest point streak in franchise history, the Boston Bruins attempt to complete a perfect six-game homestand when they host the league-worst Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. Not only have the Bruins won five in a row, but they have earned points in 18 straight games (14-0-4).

Boston kept both streaks alive by scoring twice in the final minute of Thursday's 4-3 win over Florida, which came two nights after they erased a two-goal deficit to beat Carolina by the same score. "It's in our DNA now that we just don't give up," goaltender Tuukka Rask said. "We go about our business and just battle 'til the end. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't." The Bruins have won all three meetings this season to extend their winning streak to seven over the Senators, who have flat-lined since parting ways with their top three forwards. Ottawa has dropped nine of 10 (1-8-1) and lost its fifth straight at home in Thursday's 4-2 setback to the New York Islanders.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet1, CITY, TVAS (Ottawa), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE SENATORS (23-39-6): Rookie Brady Tkachuk, the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft, scored his team-leading 15th goal and registered a game-high six shots on net in the latest loss for Ottawa, which is 1-2-1 since coach Guy Boucher was fired and replaced by Marc Crawford. “We pride ourselves on working hard, not only for ourselves, but for our teammates," Tkachuk said. "Our mission and our goal is to keep working and keep growing as a group.” Bobby Ryan had to exit Thursday's game late in the third due to a hand injury.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (41-17-9): Boston was without three of its forwards against Florida in top goal scorer David Pastrnak, Jake DeBrusk and Marcus Johansson due to injuries. The latter two had been playing on a line with David Krejci, but the veteran center still scored for the second straight game to give him five goals and 10 assists over his last 11 contests. Patrice Bergeron has scored four times in four games after capping a two-goal night with the game-winner Thursday and has seven points in two matchups versus Ottawa this season.

OVERTIME

1. Bruins F Brad Marchard had three goals and six assists during a five-game point streak and six points in three games versus Ottawa this season.

2. Senators F Brian Gibbons has five points (two goals, three assists) in his past six games.

3. Rask also is riding an 18-game point streak (15-0-3).

PREDICTION: Bruins 4, Senators 2