"After one lackluster pre-season game, it's a trifle early to determine whether the Bruins are carrying the killer attitude and effort with which the Stanley Cup champions finished last season.

So far, general manager Peter Chiarelli has been pleased with what he's seen.

"The sessions have been crisp, they've been sharp, the guys are skating well," said Chiarelli as he watched Wednesday's exhibition opener in Ottawa.

The Bruins dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to the Senators in a tame and sloppy match Chiarelli termed "a no-hitter.""