Tim Stutzle scored in the shootout to lift the Ottawa Senators to a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins. Leevi Merilainen, who made 23 saves in regulation and overtime, turned away all three Bruins skaters in the tiebreaker.

The Senators came back and emerged victorious in a playoff-like atmosphere against the Bruins at the Canadian Tire Centre.

The Bruins blew a two-goal lead and lost to Ottawa Saturday. And that leads Adam Proteau to wonder — what types of changes are ahead for Boston the rest of the way this year?

It was the loosest defensive game the Ottawa Senators have played in weeks, but there was no denying the entertainment on Saturday afternoon at Canadian Tire Centre. Down 5-3 to the rival Boston Bruins with the goalie pulled,

The Bruins dropped a game to the Senators on Saturday that could carry significant postseason implications. Read more on Boston.com.

It was an electric game with intensity that matched the atmosphere at Canadian Tire Centre as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Boston Bruins 6-5 in the shootout.

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

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 game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET on NESN and ESPN+. Fans looking to watch this Bruins game can do so for free by using FuboTV ($30 off first month) or DirecTV Stream, which both offer a free trial. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available to stream the game.

BOTTOM LINE: Atlantic Division opponents meet when the Ottawa Senators take on the Boston Bruins. Ottawa has gone 22-18-4 overall with a 5-3-1 record against the Atlantic Division. The Senators have a 20-3-2 record in games they score three or more goals.

The Ottawa Senators aren't accustomed to being atop the Eastern Conference wild-card race in late January. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers didn't expect to be on the outside looking in at the playoff picture beyond the halfway point of the season.