From a numerical point of view, 4,250 square feet of neutral-zone ice serves as an inviting corner office for entrepreneurial offensive players.
The Senators, however, do not like when opponents consider blue line-to-blue line working conditions to be ample, welcoming, or comfortable. Guy Boucher’s intention is to turn the neutral zone into a sweat shop. The demonstrative first-year Ottawa coach saves his biggest smiles for when opposing rushes melt into puddles in the middle of the rink.
“Between the two blue lines,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, “we can’t let that become a major obstacle for us.