from Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen,

BOSTON — Whether the Ottawa Senators win or lose here Saturday, feelings of bitter disappointment at not making the playoffs will follow the sound of the final buzzer.

In the search for final game incentives though, the Senators would like nothing better than to leave the Boston Bruins with the same empty feelings at not making the post-season.

Even with a victory over the Senators, the Bruins head into the final weekend needing help to stay ahead of Philadelphia and Detroit in the neck-and-neck-and-neck battle for the final two playoff spots in the East.

A Senators victory, however, would all but crush the Bruins’ hopes and could spell the end for Boston coach Claude Julien.

“Boston is waiting for us, this game means the season for them,” Senators centre turned left winger Zack Smith said following the bitter-sweetness of the final practice of the season Friday morning at the Canadian Tire Centre.

“They will be coming out hard and we’ll be looking to match it.”

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