The Boston Bruins are looking to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2027. Boston was a first-round exit in 2026, but they believe they have the team to contend again in 2027. If they perform as they did against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night, though, they aren't going to be much of a contender.

The Bruins were dominated by the Senators on Monday. Tim Stutzle contributed two goals and three points to lead the charge. It was a poor performance from Boston on home ice. It was such a poor effort that it left defenseman Nikita Zadorov without any real answer for what happened.

“We dropped the ball at home today,” Zadorov said, via NHL.com. “Didn’t come ready to play today, we can see it from the first minute of the game. I don’t know why.”

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The Bruins allowed two goals in each of the first two periods of this game. Boston did get a consolation goal in the third period. James Hagens scored his second career goal to help avoid a shutout.

Even that goal wasn't all that inspiring. Hagens scored on a broken play, with the puck barely crossing the goal line. Boston did not have their best effort on Monday, and it was evident to all at TD Garden.

This is an early-season loss the team can learn from, though. There is plenty of hockey left. The Bruins will definitely put this one behind them and move on. Boston returns to the ice on Thursday when they take on the Utah Mammoth.