The Boston Bruins should not expect the Ottawa Senators to lie down and let them walk into the playoffs.
So says forward Zack Smith, who's intent on playing the role of spoiler on the final Saturday of the NHL's regular season.
"We're not handing anything to them," Smith said Friday, according to Ken Warren of the Ottawa Sun. "We've had enough battles with them. There is a little bit of a rivalry there, too. We don't owe anything to them, we have to go in there and win the game.
"Everyone has to find motivation from somewhere, whether it’s personal goals or just wanting to prove some things to different people that we're not giving up, that we do have something to play for."
Winger Mike Hoffman, sitting on 29 goals for the season, sees it as an opportunity for a positive end to a disappointing year for the team.
"It's great, it's the last game of the year and there's going to be a great atmosphere in the building," Hoffman said. "Why not finish the season on a high and go in there and kind of spoil the party there?
"We're professionals, we're trying to prove a point and play right to the last game. It's going to be a tough game. They're fighting for their lives. It's a good challenge for a lot of guys in here."
The Senators finished three points ahead of the Bruins last season, snagging a wild-card spot on the strength of an incredible run to end the season. This season, Ottawa has posted a record of 2-1-0 against Boston, but with the Bruins holding a 9-8 scoring advantage.
The puck drops at 12:30 pm EST.
