The Senators will be looking for just their second win since Boxing Day when they lace up the boots for a game that Hockey Night in Canada has to hope does only minimal damages to its ratings.
The 26th-place Senators take the road to tackle the New York Islanders, who as of Friday were tied for 28th place with the New Jersey Devils.
The Senators are on an eight-game losing streak and have won only once since Boxing Day. That victory, coincidentally enough, was on Long Island Jan. 13.
"We've just got to make sure we give them our best," said coach Cory Clouston. "We've got to prepare for this club like we would any other team. We can't go in there thinking it's going to be an easy game. We're in no position to be thinking that."
Returning to the lineup will be Jason Spezza, who has been out of the lineup with a shoulder injury since Boxing Day.
It'll be interesting to see who Clouston announces as his starting goalie Saturday morning. Brian Elliott, who has lost 12 in a row, replaced Robin Lehner midway through Wednesday's 7-5 loss to Detroit.
Lehner won the Jan. 13 game against the Islanders, his NHL debut, by a 6-4 count.
Clouston said Friday that injured goalie Pascal Leclaire has been moved to the long term injury list.
don.brennan@sunmedia.ca
