With 46 games played, the Bruins hang onto the second Wild Card spot by one point. They've won their last two games but dropped six straight before that to land themselves in a position of great uncertainty with the trade deadline less than two months away.

This has been a difficult season for the Boston Bruins. They were expected to contend for the Atlantic Division title once again, but instead of battling the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs for the division lead,

During the intermissions between the periods of Friday night’s NHL games, the Hockey Central panel weighed in on what might happen as the NHL trade deadline approaches.

Ottawa Senators' Jake Sanderson (85), Tim Stutzle (18), and Josh Norris (9) turn to see a fight starting as they celebrate Sanderson's goal against the Boston Bruins during second period NHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Credit: AP/Justin Tang

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.

Tim Stutzle scored the only goal in the shootout and had a goal and an assist, Norris scored twice and Leevi Merilainen made 23 saves for the Senators (23-18-4), who are 4-0-1 in their past five games.