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Canadiens seek sixth consecutive win

Mar 30, 2007 - 3:33 PM Montreal (40-31-6) at Ottawa (45-24-8) 7:30 pm EDT

OTTAWA (Ticker) -- The red-hot Montreal Canadiens look to improve their playoff chances when they visit the Ottawa Senators.

Montreal has won five games in a row and seven of their last eight to propel themselves into the crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Canadiens are tied with the Lightning (41-32-4)for seventh place with 86 points.

The Senators already have secured a playoff spot, but in a battling for the fourth seed and home-ice advantage in the conference quarterfinals. Ottawa is tied with New Jersey (45-24-8) for the fourth spot.

Montreal is coming off Tuesday's 6-4 win over the New York Rangers. Alexei Kovalev scored twice for the Canadiens, who scored five times in the second period to erase a 2-0 deficit.

Canadiens rookie goaltender Jaroslav Halak has played in every game during the Canadiens' winning streak.

The Senators lost for just the third time in their last 10 games with Tuesday's 3-2 setback to Boston. Mike Fisher and Dany Heatley, who needs three points to reach 100 for the season, scored for Ottawa.

Ottawa leads the season series, 4-3.