(My Sportsbook) - The struggling Boston Bruins will try to avoid a third consecutive defeat when they host the streaking Ottawa Senators in tonight's Northeast Division battle at TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston is coming off consecutive losses to the New York Rangers and Columbus and has lost five of six, seven of 10 and 11 of its 15 contests. The Bruins, however, are still tops in the Eastern Conference with 95 points, but they are now just six points ahead of New Jersey for that distinction.

The Bruins still hold a comfortable 16-point lead over Montreal for the division lead.

After losing a 4-3 decision in New York on Sunday, the Bruins were dealt a setback Tuesday night at Columbus. Steve Mason made 35 saves to notch his league-leading ninth shutout, and the Blue Jackets edged Boston, 2-0, at Nationwide Arena.

Tim Thomas stopped 32-of-33 shots in a losing effort for the Bruins.

Beginning tonight, the Bruins will play two straight and four of their next five games on home ice. Boston is 22-6-5 as the host this year, but has lost three of four and five of eight at the Garden.

The Senators, on the other hand, have won four straight games and can match a season-high winning streak with another victory tonight. Despite the run, Ottawa is still 12th in the East and 13 points out of a playoff spot.

The most recent Senators victory came Wednesday evening against visiting Tampa Bay. Mike Fisher scored 2:38 into overtime to lift Ottawa to the 3-2 decision over the Lightning at Scotiabank Place.

Ryan Shannon and Chris Kelly lit the lamp in regulation for the Senators, who ended a season-high eight-game homestand 5-2-1. Brian Elliot made 22 saves to get the win.

Ottawa had lost six out of seven games prior to its current streak, but also won five straight from February 7-16.

The Sens are playing the first of two straight on the road and will also visit Pittsburgh on Saturday. Ottawa is just 10-17-4 as the guest this season.

Boston has won all three meetings with the Senators so far this season and has taken five straight and seven of the last eight overall. Ottawa has also dropped three straight and eight of 12 on the road in this series.