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Blackhawks host Senators in matchup of struggling clubs

Jan 7, 2011 - 4:24 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try to avoid their fifth loss in six games when they host the struggling Ottawa Senators in tonight's clash at the United Center.

Since winning four in a row from Dec. 17-26, the Blackhawks have dropped four out of five games and the defending Stanley Cup champions were dealt their most-recent loss in the opener of a four-game homestand.

Chicago, which is one point out of a playoff berth in the Western Conference, was dealt a 4-2 loss by the visiting Dallas Stars on Wednesday. Mike Ribeiro posted a pair of power-play goals for the Stars, including the deciding score around the midway point of the third period.

Fernando Pisani and Tomas Kopecky scored for the Blackhawks, while Corey Crawford yielded three goals on 21 shots in defeat.

"I have to come up with big saves and I didn't do that tonight," Crawford said.

Wednesday's setback was the second straight home loss for the Blackhawks, who are 12-11-0 as the host this season. Chicago will also welcome the New York Islanders and Colorado during this residency.

Ottawa has lost three straight and five of its last seven games, but the Senators will at least be well-rested heading into tonight's contest.

The Sens last played on New Year's Day, when they were pummeled on home ice by the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Tyler Bozak had his first career two-goal game to lead Toronto to the 5-1 rout at Scotiabank Place.

"We have to regroup," Ottawa head coach Cory Clouston said. "We have to make sure we understand what we need to do. It's going to take a whole team effort to get ourselves out of this. We put ourselves in this situation and we can't point fingers."

Sergei Gonchar recorded the only goal for the Senators. The tally halted Gonchar's goal-less streak at 23 games and marked the first score for the highly-paid defenseman since Nov. 11.

Brian Elliott allowed three goals on just seven shots before pulled being late in the first period. Mike Brodeur yielded a pair of goals on 14 shots in relief.

Elliot stopped 29-of-30 shots in a 4-1 home win over the Blackhawks on Jan. 19 of last season. That was the only game played between these clubs last season and it was also Elliot's only career start against Chicago.

Chicago had won three straight in the series prior to last season's loss in Ottawa. The Blackhawks have won the last three times the clubs have met in the Windy City.

The Senators are just 7-8-3 on the road this season and have lost seven of their last 10 games away from Canada's capital city.