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Flyers hope to wrap up Atlantic against Senators

Apr 5, 2011 - 3:12 PM (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Flyers could have a chance to clinch their first division title in seven years when they visit the Ottawa Senators for tonight's clash at Scotiabank Place.

The Flyers enter today's action with a three-point lead over Pittsburgh atop the Atlantic Division with three games remaining for both teams. Philadelphia can secure its first division title since 2004 if it beats the Senators and the Penguins are dealt a loss of any kind tonight against visiting New Jersey.

The Flyers could also wrap up the division if they get a point tonight and Pittsburgh loses in regulation.

Philadelphia is also tied for the Eastern Conference lead with Washington, as both clubs have 103 points and identical 46-22-11 records on the year. The Capitals also have three games left and are playing tonight in Toronto.

Ottawa has long since been eliminated from the East's postseason race, but the Senators have a chance to play spoiler again tonight. The Senators have lost two out of three against the Flyers this year, but were able to record a 4-1 home win over Philly when the clubs met last on Feb. 26. It was Philadelphia's sixth consecutive loss in Canada's capital city.

All told, Ottawa has taken six of the last nine meetings with the Flyers.

The Flyers will try to snap a three-game slide (0-2-1) this evening after losing a shootout decision Sunday against the rival New York Rangers. Erik Christensen and Wojtek Wolski both scored in the shootout, as the playoff- hungry Blueshirts posted a 3-2 win at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center.

James van Riemsdyk and Nikolay Zherdev scored for the Flyers and rookie goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves in the loss. Philadelphia trailed the game by a 2-1 score after 40 minutes, but Zherdev netted the equalizer early in the third period.

"Obviously it's frustrating playing a good third period and not being able to get that extra point," Giroux said. "It's a good thing there aren't shootouts in the playoffs."

The Flyers are just 3-7 in shootouts this season.

Philadelphia is expected to be without a couple of key forwards tonight, as Danny Briere and Blair Betts are both dealing with lower-body injuries. Briere was a late scratch from Sunday's game, while Betts was injured in the second period against the Rangers and did not return.

Briere is second on Philadelphia with 32 goals this season and Betts is one of the team's best penalty killers.

The Flyers are closing out their road schedule with tonight's tilt and Friday's stop in Buffalo. Philly, which is 25-10-4 on the road, will end its regular season on home ice with Saturday's game against the New York Islanders.

Ottawa is playing the middle portion of a three-game homestand and will play its final game as the host Thursday against Montreal. The Senators, who will close their season Saturday in Boston, are just 14-20-5 as the home club this season.

The Sens began their homestand with Saturday's 4-2 setback to the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Tyler Bozak and Nikolai Kulemin each had third-period goals to lead the Maple Leafs to victory.

Jason Spezza scored the two goals for the Sens, who have dropped three of their last four games and are tied for last in the conference with Florida. Craig Anderson allowed all four goals on 30 shots in the loss.

"We have to keep momentum when we get it and we didn't tonight," Spezza said after his club failed to take advantage of grabbing a 2-1 lead in the third period.

The Senators are playing the rest of the way without a trio of key players. Forward Daniel Alfredsson (lower back) and defensemen Sergei Gonchar (concussion) and Erik Karlsson (lacerated right thigh) are all sidelined for the remainder of the season.