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Senators shoot for consecutive victories in battle with Thrashers

Dec 13, 2010 - 4:07 PM (Sports Network) - The Ottawa Senators will aim to win consecutive games for the first time in over a month when they welcome the Atlanta Thrashers for tonight's battle at Scotiabank Place.

The Senators ended a two-game slide and won for just the second time in seven games by defeating a visiting New Jersey club this past Friday. Tonight, Ottawa can post two victories in a row for the first time since a four-game winning streak from Nov. 2-9.

Ottawa recorded a 3-2 win over the Devils on Friday, as Pascal Leclaire stopped 29 shots and Jarkko Ruutu notched the winning goal in the second period at Scotiabank Place.

Erik Karlsson added a goal with a helper and Milan Michalek also tallied for the Senators.

"It's really important for us to get as many wins as we can. Hopefully we can learn from this and move on," said Michalek about his club.

The Senators, who are 8-8-1 as the host this year, are completing a three-game homestand tonight. Ottawa began the residency Thursday against the New York Rangers, but lost that game 5-3 in regulation despite carrying a one-goal lead into the third period.

While Ottawa tires to get back on track, the Thrashers will attempt to continue their recent hot streak. Atlanta enters tonight having won three of four and nine of its last 11 games.

As a result of their surge, the Thrashers, who have made the postseason just once in franchise history, are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference.

After losing a 4-2 home decision to Colorado on Friday, the Thrashers were able to rebound quickly with Saturday's road win over the New York Islanders. Alexander Burmistrov scored the eventual game-winner late in the third period, helping the Thrashers notch the 5-4 win at Nassau Coliseum.

Johnny Oduya had two goals for the Thrashers, while Bryan Little and Anthony Stewart also lit the lamp.

"It was fun. Something that doesn't happen too often for me," said Oduya, who scored his first two goals of the season after managing three markers in all of 2009-10.

Chris Mason, making his first start since November 14, stopped 25-of-29 shots for Atlanta to take his first win since November 3.

The Thrashers, who complete a three-game road trip Wednesday in Tampa, have won three of their last four as the guest and are 7-5-2 away from Atlanta this season.

The Senators hosted Atlanta earlier this season and recorded an easy 5-2 win. Atlanta still has won four out of six in the series overall, but the Thrashers have also dropped six of their last eight in Ottawa.