(My Sportsbook) - It appears to be a case of too little, too late but the streaking
Ottawa Senators will continue their postseason push when they host the
New York Islanders in tonight's battle at Scotiabank Place.
The Senators have won three straight and seven of their last eight contests, but are still 12th in the Eastern Conference and 11 points out of a postseason berth. Ottawa has made the playoffs in 11 straight seasons and is in danger of missing out on the tournament for the first time since 1996.
Ottawa picked up its latest victory over Montreal, as it downed the visiting Canadiens in a close game Thursday. Jason Spezza scored twice and picked up an assist, as the Senators clipped the Habs, 5-4, at Scotiabank Place. The win could be key for Ottawa's playoff quest, as Montreal is currently holding onto the East's eighth and final postseason spot with 81 points.
Daniel Alfredsson, Nick Foligno and Jarkko Ruutu also tallied for the Senators.
Brian Elliott turned aside 28-of-32 shots to notch his seventh consecutive victory, the longest winning streak by a rookie netminder in franchise history.
Ottawa has won six straight as the host and is closing a three-game homestand tonight. The Sens, who will begin a six-game road trip Sunday against the New York Rangers, are 19-12-6 at Scotiabank Place this season.
The Islanders, who are last in the NHL with 56 points, have lost two of three and are coming off Friday's setback at Carolina. Chad LaRose scored twice, including the game-winner in the third period, as the Hurricanes edged New York, 5-4, at RBC Center.
Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen each had a goal and an assist for the Islanders, who had won four of six coming into the game. Peter Mannino made 32 saves in the loss.
Tonight marks the end of a six-game road trip for the Islanders, who are 2-2-1 on the swing and just 8-25-3 as the guest this season.
The Islanders have won all three meetings with Ottawa this season and can complete the sweep of the season series tonight. New York has taken four of five and five of seven overall from the Sens and has won its last two tests in Canada's capital city.
