Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy took over the bench duties when the Bruins fired Claude Julien earlier this year. His arrival meant a little more attention was being paid to the head coach and there was a response on the ice as well, as the Bruins went 
on a long winning streak to secure a playoff position that seemed unlikely weeks before.
But on Sunday, the reasons for the Bruins’ limited success reappeared.
Playing against a younger, healthier and hungrier Ottawa Senators the Bruins just had no gas left in the tank as they dropped Game 6 in overtime, 3-2.
Clarke MacArthur scored on the power play at 6:30 of the OT to send the Senators to round two and a series with the New York Rangers.
“It was great. Obviously the biggest thing was not having to go seven with them,” MacArthur said. “They’re a resilient group and the injuries they had, they gave us pretty much everything they had. So you know obviously it’s great to end it here. I’ve had some nightmares in here and it’s nice to be on the other side of it.”
Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris scored in regulation for the Senators.
The Bruins were without four of their regular starters including three defensemen.
“We can’t be really standing here and kind of feeling sorry for ourselves because we lost so many guys but that’s part of the playoffs. That’s hockey and unfortunately we missed some guys but I’m very proud of how we battled, how we never gave,” Boston’s Zdeno Chara said.
Craig Anderson made 28 saves to earn the win.
Drew Stafford and Patrice Bergeron were Boston’s goal scorers.
“We fought hard to get back in it, and it was tough to lose on a penalty in OT,” Bruins forward Brad Marchand said. “A lot of calls could’ve gone either way, but we battled hard to get back in it. Just a tough loss.”
[WATCH: All Senators vs. Bruins highlights | RELATED: Complete Boston vs. Ottawa series coverage]
Tuukka Rask made 26 saves in taking the loss.
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