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Sens seek to snap 11-game skid in clash with Oilers

Feb 12, 2011 - 3:37 PM (Sports Network) - The Ottawa Senators will try to avoid a 12th consecutive loss when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for this afternoon's meeting at Rexall Place.

With 11 straight setbacks, the Senators have matched their longest losing streak since the 1995-96 season and Ottawa hasn't dropped 12 in a row since a franchise-record 14-game slide from March 2-April 7, 1993.

Today's tilt actually features the bottom-two teams in the NHL. Edmonton is last in the Western Conference and the league with 40 points and the Senators are just two points ahead in the East basement.

The Oilers have not fared much better than the Senators recently, having lost five of six, 10 of 12 and 19 of their last 23 games.

However, in addition to losing 11 in a row, Ottawa has also dropped 17 of its last 18 contests. The Senators' only victory over that stretch came on Jan. 13 in a road game against the New York Islanders.

Ottawa's most recent setback came Wednesday night in Calgary, as Anton Babchuk had a goal and two assists to help the Flames post a 5-2 decision at the Saddledome.

Chris Campoli and Chris Kelly scored, while Robin Lehner stopped 30 shots in the loss.

Wednesday's contest wound up being veteran centerman Mike Fisher's last game with Ottawa, as the Senators dealt him to the Nashville Predators on Thursday for a first-round pick in the 2011 draft as well as a conditional pick in 2012.

Fisher, 30, was tied for the Senators team lead in goals with 14 and ranked third in points with 24 in 55 games. Ottawa took the Ontario native in the second round (44th overall) of the 1998 draft. In 675 career games, he has collected 167 goals and 181 assists and has amassed 14 goals and 28 points in 75 playoff games.

"We understand why it was done for the organization, but it's a difficult day for the coaches," Sens head coach Cory Clouston told the team's website about the trade. "Mike is a quality individual and I've really enjoyed coaching him. He's a team guy, he works extremely hard and the word that comes to mind when I talk about Mike is character. That's going to definitely be missed."

Today marks the final stop on a four-game road trip for the Senators, who have lost six straight as the guest and are 8-15-4 away from Ottawa this season.

Edmonton ended a four-game losing streak with Monday's win in Nashville, but the Oilers were back in the loss column after Wednesday's 4-1 setback against visiting Chicago. Patrick Kane scored twice to lead the Blackhawks to the win.

Devan Dubnyk allowed three goals on 25 shots for the Oilers, who haven't recorded back-to-back victories since early December.

"Games that we come out and we're ready to play right off the bat, we're in every game," said Oilers forward Shawn Horcoff. "We might not always win, but we're right there and we have a chance to. That wasn't the case tonight."

Wednesday's game marks the start of a six-game homestand for the Oilers, who have lost five straight as the host and are 7-15-4 at Rexall Place this season.

Edmonton recorded a 4-1 win in Ottawa on Nov. 29 to snap a six-game series losing streak. The Senators have won three straight and four of their last five at Rexall Place.