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Senators' tight defensive system sends Bruins packing

BOSTON -- The Ottawa Senators advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs after dismissing the Boston Bruins 3-2 in overtime in Game 6 Sunday at TD Garden. Clarke MacArthur scored for the Senators on the power play in overtime.

The Senators will face the New York Rangers, who defeated the Montreal Canadiens in six games.

The Senators' defensive system stifled Boston's attack. It also helped Ottawa that captain Erik Karlsson was the best player on the ice the entire series -- along with goaltender Craig Anderson, who made timely saves when he needed to in order to win the series.

In the big picture, the Bruins were fortunate to earn a postseason berth this season and should consider 2016-17 a success based on the team's accomplishments with a depleted lineup.

It will be interesting to watch Karlsson face a fellow Swede, Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, in the second round. They began the season as teammates for Team Sweden at the World Cup of Hockey, and now each has the opportunity to send the other back to the mother country for a sooner-than-desired offseason.