Down 5-3 to the rival Boston Bruins with the goalie pulled, the Senators scored twice in the final four minutes to tie the game, then won it 6-5 in the shootout. The victory, for the time being, moves Ottawa into the first Wild Card position (WC1) in the Eastern Conference, now tied in points with Columbus and Boston.

Bruins coach Joe Sacco said Brad Marchand's absence during Saturday's overtime and shootout periods vs. the Senators was a coach's decision.

The Boston Bruins had a two-goal lead with under four minutes to go Saturday, only to choke the game away and lose to the Ottawa Senators in a shootout. It was the kind of loss the Bruins just can’t afford in the middle of such a tight playoff race.

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.

If he can’t go, the Bruins will be down several veterans. In addition to Hampus Lindholm, who is already out, Boston out both Charlie McAvoy and Mark Kastelic on injured reserve on Tuesday.

Coyle will start the game on the third line on the wing with Matt Poitras, who returns at center and Trent Frederic. Vinni Lettieri will play his first game in Boston this season in Coyle’s regular spot with Elias Lindholm and Brad Marchand. Oliver Wahlstrom will sit out with Coyle available.

In a wildly entertaining and raucous game, the Bruins had their most emotional win of the season in their grasp only to cough up a two-goal lead late in the final 3:13 of regulation and lose in a shootoout.

Bruins president Cam Neely admitted that Boston has to prepare for "two paths" as buyers or sellers this season.

"I think his game is in a better place right now. He’s a guy that deserves an opportunity, based on his play.” The post Bruins call up Matt Poitras, Charlie McAvoy lands on IR appeared first on Boston.

The other moves related to injury classifications, with franchise defenseman Charlie McAvoy surprisingly placed on the injured reserve list.

Coyle was deemed a game-time decision earlier in the day but looks fine to play. The 32-year-old is likely to play in his usual third-line role. Oliver Wahlstrom is projected to come out of the lineup Tuesday while Matthew Poitras will also suit up after his call-up earlier in the day.

The Bruins are already shorthanded in this contest, as Charlie McAvoy and Mark Kastelic were placed on injured reserve earlier today. In addition, Hampus Lindholm is still not ready to return to the lineup. Thus, not having another key player in Coyle against the Lightning would be tough for Boston.