MeeBay Forum » big game, said Chris Kelly, who has nine points in th

This is the first time in nearly a decade that the Boston Bruins have entered a new year not in position to make the playoffs. The reigning Presidents Trophy winners are determined to make sure that changes. Besides feeling better about its recent play and having a renewed focus, Boston should soon get a key piece back on the ice, and theres a shot that happens as early as todays matchup with the visiting Ottawa Senators. Viewers in the Senators region can watch the game live on TSN5 at 1pm et/2pm at, or listen live on TSN Radio Ottawa 1200. Adam McQuaid was third on the Bruins in ice time when he broke his thumb Nov. 18. They had a 12-8-0 record with the sixth-year defenseman but have gone 7-7-4 without him while giving up nearly half a goal per game more. McQuaid has been practicing and said Friday hes close to returning, but he hasnt been medically cleared. I feel really good out there, and every day, pretty significant improvements, McQuaid told the teams official website. Well have a talk with the trainers, and well see from there. McQuaid, one of the clubs top penalty killers, could provide a boost for a team whose last five opponents totaled 17 goals and went 4 for 12 on the power play. Boston (19-15-4), though, went 3-1-1 in that span. Were getting better net-front presence and scoring chances and all that stuff, coach Claude Julien said. ... Were trying not to get too focused on the stats, because they dont mean anything going into (Saturdays) game. Its all about living in the present. Ottawa (15-14-7) has had four days off since Bobby Ryans hat trick - his first since 2011 - keyed a 5-2 victory over Buffalo on Monday. The Senators had lost their previous three games, but coach Dave Cameron was pleased with their 4-2-2 finish to 2014. Im seeing better execution, Cameron said. Im seeing good effort. Goaltender Craig Anderson agreed, and he has keyed Ottawas solid play with a 3-1-1 record and 1.79 goals-against average in his last five starts. Lately weve been playing really simple, giving ourselves an opportunity to win games, Anderson said. ... The chances and the amount of opportunities were giving up are way down. Anderson hasnt received many opportunities to face the Bruins recently, partly because his 3.50 GAA against them is his worst versus any East team. Hes given up 23 goals in his last five games in Boston but is starting Saturday after being left on the bench in the previous two meetings. Rask is 6-3-1 with a 1.99 GAA in 10 career starts versus Ottawa. While Boston is 10-2-3 at home since the beginning of November, Ottawa is 2-5-2 on the road since Thanksgiving. Juliens club is within two points of an Eastern Conference postseason berth. They hadnt been out of playoff position going into January since the 2005-06 season. Every point right now matters, and our position does matter, defenseman Kevan Miller said. It makes it tougher every game that we dont climb. The Bruins are looking to get five of a possible six points on a key three-game stretch this week against fellow Atlantic Division foes. They dominated Detroit in Mondays 5-2 win, then came back from a two-goal deficit to force a shootout in Wednesdays 4-3 loss to Toronto. These are huge games, huge points for us. (Saturdays) a big game, said Chris Kelly, who has nine points in the past eight games. Both meetings this season have been in Boston, with the Bruins winning 4-2 on Nov. 1 and the Senators winning 3-2 on Dec. 13 on Ryans shootout goal off Tuukka Rask. SAN JOSE, Calif. -- San Jose Earthquakes defender Andreas Gorlitz will undergo season-ending right knee surgery Friday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The team made the announcement Thursday, a day after the right back and MLS newcomer was injured just before halftime in a 0-0 draw at home aggainst the Colorado Rapids.dddddddddddd The 32-year-old German, formerly with Bayern Munich, made three appearances in his first season with San Jose. He signed on March 4 following a 12-year professional career in Germany. Dr. Zack Vaughn will perform the procedure at Stanford Hospital. ' ' '