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Senators-Islanders Preview

Apr 2, 2010 - 6:37 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Ottawa (43-30-5) at New York (32-35-10), 2:00 p.m. EDT

It didn't take long for the Ottawa Senators to return to the playoffs. Unlike their last appearance, they may bring some momentum with them this time.

After securing a postseason spot, the Senators look to win their seventh straight game as they visit the New York Islanders on Saturday.

Last year, Ottawa (43-30-5) missed the playoffs after making appearances in each of the previous 11 seasons. The Senators are back in again, securing a spot with a 4-3 shootout win over Carolina on Thursday night.

"We worked hard throughout the whole year and it's obviously nice," captain Daniel Alfredsson said. "We've got a good feeling and we're looking forward to the next week and then the playoffs."

Alfredsson has every reason to be optimistic since his team is 21-9-1 following a shaky stretch.

With six straight wins and four games to go, the Senators have a chance to be one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs. In 2007-08, Ottawa lost five of its last six regular-season games and ended up getting swept by Pittsburgh in the first round.

Jason Spezza was held without a goal in that series, but his strong play has been leading Ottawa of late. Against the Hurricanes, the veteran center assisted on Erik Karlsson's game-tying goal with 7.7 seconds remaining.

It was the third assist of the game for Spezza, who has six goals and 10 assists over his last eight contests. He has seven goals and 12 assists in his last 15 games against the Islanders (32-35-10).

Alfredsson has eight goals and 17 assists in 24 games road games versus New York. The Senators are 3-0 against the Islanders this season.

New York probably can't afford to lose any of its last five games and will need some help to have any chance of making the postseason. The Islanders kept their slim hopes alive with a 6-4 win over Philadelphia on Thursday night, snapping a 15-game losing streak to their Atlantic Division rival.

New York, which has won seven of its last 11 at home and three of four overall, scored six goals for the fourth time this season. The Islanders scored three times in the first two periods, including two by Blake Comeau.

Comeau has 16 goals this season, scoring 10 over the past 16 games. That run includes two straight two-goal performances.

"Something I changed with my game is I'm shooting the puck more," Comeau told the Islanders' official Web site. "Obviously it's going to give itself a chance to go in no matter how hard it is or where its shot."

Comeau has set career highs in goals, points (32) and games (59).

"I think Blake has honest intentions to work hard all the time," coach Scott Gordon said. "But with the ability that he has, he should be able to produce offensively and really its nothing more than get pucks to the net."

Rookie center John Tavares assisted on both of Comeau's goals versus the Flyers, retaking the team scoring lead with 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists). Tavares, though, has been held without a goal in 16 straight games at Nassau Coliseum.

This will be the first game for Ottawa defenseman Andy Sutton against his former team. The Senators acquired Sutton from the Islanders March 2 for a second-round draft pick.