This was a game that had a playoff feel from the moment the puck dropped at TD Garden.
And the Ottawa Senators responded to the pressure. Lehner turned aside all 32 shots he faced for his first career shutout and the Sens played one of their best team games of the season, scoring a tight 1-0 win over the defending champs.
On Saturday night, the Boston Bruins held on for a 5-3 win over the Senators in a physical game at Scotiabank Place.
Tonight, the two teams square off again, this time at the TD Garden in Boston. The Bruins got the better of the Sens on the weekend, but the bad blood between these two teams is sure to spill over into this divisional clash.
As expected, it was a fairly quiet NHL Trade Deadline for the Ottawa Senators.
With moves already made for Kyle Turris and Ben Bishop, Sens GM Bryan Murray could have just stood by and watched the other GMs make moves. Instead, Murray joined the deadline day action, trading defenceman Brian Lee to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for UFA to be, Matt Gilroy.
(UPDATE 2:03 PM)- The Ottawa Senators have traded defenceman Brian Lee to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Matt Gilroy.
On a day where the Ottawa Senators made a statement by adding goaltending depth in the form of Ben Bishop, Robin Lehner made a statement of his own, picking up a huge win over the New York Islanders.
Lehner made a number of key stops throughout the game and was named the first star in a convincing 5-2 win in just his second start of the season.
(UPDATE 3:06 PM)- Couple notes heading into tonight's game vs. the Isles. Robin Lehner will start in the Ottawa goal and Kyle Turris will not be suspended for his hit on Joe Corvo.
The Ottawa Senators begin life without Craig Anderson tonight when they host the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Boston Bruins.
With their number one goalie sidelined indefinitely, the Sens will turn to Alex Auld as they try to run down the division leading Bruins. Auld's last start came on February 9th when he backstopped the Senators to a win over the Nashville Predators.
(UPDATE 11:56 AM)- Bryan Murray addressed the Craig Anderson injury with the media today and the outlook sounds a little more positive than initial reports. Murray said there is a chance he is back on the ice next week but still stressed that there is no time table for a return.
Ottawa Senators fans have been extremely spoiled this season.
In a season in which the majority of media outlets predicted a last place finish for the rebuilding Sens, Paul MacLean's group continues to surprise. Ottawa charged out to a 4-0 lead last night and held on for a convincing 5-2 win over the slumping Washington Capitals, pushing the team one step closer to playoff spot.
After impressive wins in Tampa Bay, Florida and Long Island, the Ottawa Senators return home for a crucial game against the tenth place Washington Capitals.
The Sens come into this game with a seven point lead over the Capitals but Washington does have a couple games in hand on Ottawa. Tonight kicks off a key four agme swing for the Sens who after tonight gear up for a stretch that will see them host the Bruins and Islanders before visiting Boston on Tuesday night.