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.

During the Boston Bruins ' last contest against the Ottawa Senators, head coach Joe Sacco benched Brad Marchand during overtime. Marchand was among the Bruins on the ice when Senators forward Josh Norris tied the game up with 12 seconds left at 5-5.

All the Boston Bruins had to do was hold on for a few more minutes. Leading by two goals, all that separated them from a massive win was one last late push by the Ottawa Senators. The Bruins did not make it.