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Senators go for third win in four games vs. Wild

Nov 20, 2006 - 4:50 PM Minnesota (12-6-1) at Ottawa (8-11-1) 7:30 pm EST

OTTAWA (Ticker) -- The Ottawa Senators gradually have been making strides after a difficult stretch in the schedule.

Goaltender Ray Emery is expected to make his fourth consecutive start for the Senators, who try to win for the third time in four games in Monday's matchup against the Minnesota Wild.

Emery is 5-3-1 with a 1.92 goals-against average and has seen more action lately because of Martin Gerber's slump. After he led the Carolina Hurricanes to last season's Stanley Cup title, Gerber is just 3-9-1 with a 3.46 GAA.

Ottawa lost seven of eight games before winning two of their last three. Both victories have come against the Northeast Division-leading Buffalo Sabres, including Saturday's 4-1 triumph.

Dany Heatley scored his 11th goal, Antoine Vermette added his eighth and Peter Schaefer had a tally and an assist for Ottawa, which posted a 41-24 edge in shots on goal.

Minnesota has fallen into a rut after winning 10 of its first 12 contests. The Wild have dropped five of their last seven outings, including Saturday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Mikko Koivu scored the only goal for Minnesota, which has a two-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the Northwest Division.

Ottawa posted a 6-1 victory in its lone meeting against Minnesota last season and has a 3-2-1 record in the all-time series. The Wild have not played here since the 2002-2003 campaign.