Senators 3 - 4 Bruins
Final
  for this game

Sens go back on the road to battle Bruins

Jan 31, 2012 - 4:07 PM (Sports Network) - The Ottawa Senators get back to work tonight after hosting All-Star weekend, as they visit the Boston Bruins for a Northeast Division battle at TD Garden.

The Senators entered the break on a three-game slide, but are still just four points behind Boston for first place in the division. Ottawa is also tied with Pittsburgh for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Ottawa played host for the NHL's All-Star festivities over the weekend, marking the first time the midseason showcase took place in Canada's capital city. Longtime Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson served in the same role for Team Alfredsson in Sunday's All-Star Game, but his team, which featured three other Senators, lost a 12-9 decision to Team Chara.

Alfredsson posted two goals and an assist and playing in the All-Star Game in front of his hometown fans will always be a fond memory for the 39-year-old Swede.

"From a selfish point, it's going to rank pretty high," Alfredsson said. "To have a weekend like this is surreal. You can never dream up anything like this."

Alfredsson's Ottawa teammates Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza both had a goal and an assist in the All-Star loss, while Sens defenseman Erik Karlsson went without a point for Team Alfredsson.

Boston captain Zdeno Chara posted a goal for the winning side on Sunday and he also stole the show at Saturday's SuperSkills competition by beating his own record in the Hardest Shot event.

"You can't ask for anything better," Chara said of his most recent All-Star experience. "We want to enjoy ourselves, have fun, and most of all we want to put on a good show."

Bruins forward Tyler Seguin and goaltender Tim Thomas were also on Team Chara. Seguin posted a goal on Sunday, while Thomas extended his NHL record by winning his fourth straight All-Star Game. Thomas stopped 18-of-21 shots in the third period to record the victory.

The Senators are 2-3 so far on their six-game road trip and 13-10-5 as the visitor this season. They will open February on a four-game homestand, beginning with Friday's tilt against the New York Islanders.

Boston lost two of three heading into the All-Star break and will try to start a three-game homestand on a positive note tonight. The Bruins, who are two points behind the New York Rangers for first in the East, have compiled a 16-7-2 record on home ice this season.

The Bruins are 2-0 against Ottawa this year and has won six straight in the series overall. The Senators have lost three in a row and nine of the last 12 meetings in Beantown.

Boston forward Nathan Horton sat out his team's last game before the break with a concussion and he's been ruled out for tonight's contest.






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