It is a trip the Senators would rather not have made, but it has to be done and they will get their second opportunity to put away the Bruins after the tough 3-2 double overtime loss on Friday night.

This one is a 3 pm start, the second matinee in the series in just over a week, with Ottawa taking the first one 4-3 in OT on home ice after overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the third period, an answer to the opening game loss to the Bruins.

The Senators might have to go without Viktor Stalberg, who left overtime on Friday with an injury, joining Tom Pyatt and Mark Brorowiecki on the injury list. The Senators didn't skate yesterday after the marathon on Friday so no lineup changes were discussed and the coach won't be speaking until 12;15 this afternoon, but you could possibly see Colin White make his playoff debut. With Chris Kelly playing just over seven out of the 90 minutes, there wasn't much confidence there and the way Guy Boucher plays blender with the lines you can put White in situations where he can succeed. Given the way the Bruins kids have played when thrust into tough situations, why not give White a shot in his hometown and the city where he has played his college hockey.

Personally, I would put White and Tommy Wingels in for Kelly and Stalberg (if the latter is not ok to go), and I might also add Freddie Claesson in place of Chris Wideman, who had a tough night on Friday and played sparingly in the third period and overtime.

Even at home, the Senators don't want to let this go to game 7, where anything can happen. Especially with the taxing that Erik Karlsson has taken, including playing almost 42 minutes and suffered from some cramping just prior to the Sean Kuraly overtime winner.

With the Rangers having eliminated the Canadiens on Saturday, they are now sitting back and awaiting the winner of this series, Ottawa allowing this one to go to a game 7 not only jeopardizes their chances of moving on, fatigue will become a factor in the next round if they do advance.

Getting a lead and then continuing to press, instead of sitting back seemingly satisfied and trying to defend it will be key, as this series has seen blown leads in four of the five games so far, and it is also a trend that has been seen throughout the playoffs.

The team that gets closer to a full 60 minute game from all 18 skaters and maybe more importantly the goalie, as well as the ability to overcome adversity is going to come away with this one. Boston did a better job of that on Friday, especially in overtime, and the result is the game this afternoon.

The Senators will be coming home after the game, and while Boston hopes to be joining them for a Wednesday night game 7 showdown, the Senators would rather save them the trouble and end it this afternoon.

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