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Devils try to end slide in Ottawa

Dec 10, 2010 - 4:21 PM (Sports Network) - The New Jersey Devils are in the midst of a three-game slide, but they hope the return of their franchise goaltender can get them back in the win column tonight.

Martin Brodeur is expected to man the crease for the first time since November 18 when the Devils visit the Ottawa Senators this evening at Scotiabank Place.

Brodeur has been sidelined with a bruised elbow, but made his return to the bench Monday in Pittsburgh, serving as the backup to Johan Hedberg in New Jersey's 2-1 loss to the Penguins. He is expected to get the start tonight.

"I've been 100 percent for a while," Brodeur said. "Just now, with three hard practices in a row, I should have shaken off all the cobwebs that I need to shake. I'm good to go, that's for sure."

Brodeur, the NHL's all-time leader in wins and shutouts, is just 4-10-1 with a 2.74 GAA this year, but he is 34-19-0 with four ties and a 2.18 GAA in his career against the Senators.

The Devils are hoping to get back to where they were at the end of last month. New Jersey had won three of four games to close November, but it has dropped the first three games of the new month.

New Jersey has been outscored by a 12-5 margin during its current losing streak, but is coming off a close regulation loss in its last outing. The Devils were dealt a 2-1 setback Monday night in Pittsburgh, dropping the middle test of a three-game road trip that ends tonight.

Sidney Crosby notched the eventual game-winning goal in the second period and added an assist in Monday's victory over the Devils. Brian Rolston notched the lone goal for the Devils and Hedberg was strong in defeat, stopping 32 shots.

"Hedberg was great again for us," Rolston said. "We have to find a way to win these games."

The Devils have lost six straight on the road and John MacLean's club has an awful 4-11-0 record away from home this season.

Ottawa hasn't fared well lately either. The Senators lost to the New York Rangers on Thursday, marking their fifth loss in six games.

The loss to the visiting Rangers was the second straight setback for Ottawa. The game was tied late in the third period, but Mike Sauer scored his first career goal, a power-play tally, to lift New York.

Mike Fisher scored twice and Jason Spezza tallied his seventh goal for Ottawa, which fell to 1-4-1 in its last six games.

"This was a frustrating loss," said Fisher. "I thought for the most part we played solid and we were feeling good going into the third period, but we let it slip away."

Ottawa goaltender Brian Elliott allowed four goals on 27 shots.

Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson hopes to get his offensive game back on track tonight. The veteran Swede has gone without a point in nine straight games, marking the longest drought of his career.

Ottawa has lost four straight on home ice and is 7-8-1 as the host this season. The Sens will cap a three-game homestand Monday against Atlanta.

New Jersey won three of four meetings against the Sens last season and has taken 12 of 15 overall in the series. The Devils have also claimed victory in five of seven and six of their last nine games in Ottawa.