What we learned: Home ice in the first round now unlikely

+129 Recommend this on GoogleHeading into Thursday’s contest with the Ottawa Senators, the Bruins knew a regulation win would be ideal in their search for home-ice advantage for the opening round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After an impressive first period where they jumped out to a 1-0 lead thanks to Drew Stafford’s eighth of the season, the Bruins found themselves sleepwalking through the game’s final two periods and overtime frame, en route to the 2-1 shootout loss. A win that clinched a playoff spot for the Ottawa Senators.

Luckily for the Bruins, the Tampa Bay Lightning took down the Maple Leafs 4-1 in Toronto to keep their playoff hopes alive. With Toronto’s loss, the Bruins…