The first 10 games under Bruce Cassidy have been nothing short of excellent for the Boston Bruins. Tonight in Ottawa, however, begins their most crucial stretch of the season.

Trailing the Senators by two points for second in the Atlantic Division, the Bruins look to match Ottawa’s 76 points with a regulation win this evening in Canada’s capital. The Sens, who took the first meeting of the season back on Thanksgiving night, have two games in hand on the Black and Gold.

Tonight marks the first of three meetings between the two teams from now until the end of the season. The next two matchups will come at TD Garden, including the second to last game of the season for the B’s. Other key contests against the Maple Leafs, Panthers and Islanders also loom over the next few weeks.

Even with their postseason chances now up over 81 percent according to Sports Club Stats, it’s safe to say that those six aforementioned games will go a long way in determining whether or not the Bruins will return to the postseason. Continuing their inspiring play under Cassidy and earning two crucial points tonight would be a good start for the Original Six hockey club on Causeway Street.

Gametime: 7:30 pm
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 34-25-6 (74 points), Senators 35-22-6 (76 points)
Location: Canadian Tire Centre

Bruins projected lines

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Backes
Peter Cehlarik-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Frank Vatrano-Ryan Spooner-Drew Stafford
Tim Schaller-Dominic Moore-Riley Nash

Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Colin Miller-Kevan Miller

Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin

Senators projected lines

Alex Burrows-Derick Brassard-Mark Stone
Ryan Dzingel-Kyle Turris-Zack Smith
Mike Hoffman-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Tom Pyatt
Viktor Stalberg-Chris Kelly-Tommy Wingels

Marc Methot-Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf-Codi Ceci
Mark Boroweicki-Chris Wideman

Craig Anderson
Mike Condon

Tonight’s storylines

– Since the trade deadline, the Bruins and Sens are reaping immediate benefits. During his Bruins debut on Saturday, Drew Stafford acclimated himself nicely on the B’s third line as he notched a season-high seven shots on goal and assisted on Ryan Spooner’s game-winner in the third period. Alex Burrows and Viktor Stalberg have given the Sens a boost in two games as the duo has combined for three goals. Not bad for the three trade deadline acquisitions as they get accustomed to new surroundings both on and off the ice.

– After attending to his wife Nicholle during her battle with cancer, Craig Anderson picked up right where he left off since returning to the team less than one month ago. Boosted by his wife’s courageous fight, Anderson is 6-2 in his last eight games to go along with a 1.75 goals against average and .955 save percentage. For an offense that is averaging 3.7 goals per game under Cassidy, the Bruins will have their hands full tonight – much like they have the last two games against Henrik Lundqvist and Cory Schneider.