(My Sportsbook) - The Ottawa Senators hope a matchup against the Eastern Conference's worst team can help them end a two-game losing streak, as they host the New York Islanders tonight at Scotiabank Place.

The Senators have dropped two in a row on the heels of back-to-back victories. New York, meanwhile, is last in the East with 10 points and has lost nine of their last 11 contests. The Islanders have just four wins in 15 games overall this season.

Both of Ottawa's recent setbacks came on the road, as it was handed a 2-1 setback at Carolina last Friday and was then blanked in Montreal on Tuesday night.

Christopher Higgins recorded his first career hat trick and Carey Price stopped all 28 of Ottawa's shots in Montreal's 4-0 shutout at the Bell Centre.

Alex Auld made 27 saves for the Senators, whose only goal in the last two games was scored by Mike Fisher.

Tonight's test marks the opener of a home-and-home series for the Sens and Islanders. Ottawa, which is just 3-4-1 as the host this year, will make the return trip to Long Island on Saturday.

The Islanders come into this evening's test with three straight losses and the latest defeat came on Tuesday afternoon against visiting Philadelphia. Mike Richards' tally just past the midway point of the third period was the game- winner as the Flyers nipped New York, 3-1, at Nassau Coliseum.

Trent Hunter provided the lone goal for the Islanders, while Joey MacDonald fell to 4-6-2 despite stopping 29-of-31 shots.

New York had scored at least two goals in nine straight games before Tuesday's setback against Philly. The Isles are 0-1-1 against the Flyers this year and have scored a total of three goals in those games.

The Isles are 2-3-1 as the visiting team this year and have dropped three of four on the road.

Ottawa has won two of three and 10 of the last 12 meetings with the Islanders. New York is 1-6 with one tie in its last eight trips to Canada's capital city.