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Senators look to turn it around

Mar 5, 2008 - 1:42 PM Ottawa (37-24-6) at San Jose (37-21-8) 10:30 pm EST

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) - Suddenly, the Ottawa Senators are struggling to string together victories.

The Senators try to get back to their winning ways on Wednesday when they visit the San Jose Sharks.

Ottawa stormed out of the gate at 15-2-0 this season and jumped up the standings to the top spot in the Northeast Division, which it held for a majority of the campaign. That changed February 29 when the Montreal Canadiens overtook them for first place.

However, the Senators have lost four of their last five games in regulation, including a 3-1 setback to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday in a rematch of last season's Stanley Cup Finals.

The Senators - who are 1-2-0 under new coach Bryan Murray - won't have an easy time getting back on track Wednesday as the Sharks are riding a six-game win streak after a 6-4 victory over the Canadiens on Monday.

Ottawa may also be without captain Daniel Alfredsson, who is nursing a muscle strain in his back. He took only one shift in the third period of Monday's loss to Anaheim due to the injury.

Jonathan Cheechoo notched his 15th goal in his last 22 games against the Canadiens while Joe Thornton added a pair of tallies in the victory.

Cheechoo is currently tied with linemate Milan Michalek for the team lead in goals with 20 while Thornton, who has 59 assists this season, trails only Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins for the NHL lead.