Senators look to use upcoming home slate to propel towards playoffs

The Ottawa Senators have seven out of their next eight games at home as they try to put together an improbable run into playoff contention during the second half of the season. Luckily for them, the Washington Capitals have been less than stellar on the road.

The Washington Capitals try to avoid their longest losing streak on the road in eight years as they face the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, February 5th at the Canadian Tire Centre.

If their recent play dictates anything, the Senators are due for a win tonight. They have alternated wins and losses in their last 12 games and most recently lost to the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Tuesday. Senators goalie Craig Anderson will continue to sit out due to injury, as Robin Lehner will make his fourth consecutive start.

It’ll be a milestone night for veteran defenseman Chris Phillips, as the first overall pick in the 1996 draft will play his 1,179th game with the Senators, passing Daniel Alfredsson for the franchise’s all-time leader.

The Capitals (26-15-10) are coming off of a 4-0 home win against the defending champion Los Angeles Kings, but have lost five straight on the road. Alex Ovechkin only has one goal in the last nine visits to Ottawa, and the Capitals have lost four in a row there and nine of 11.

The Senators will be happy to play the spoiler role at the Canadian Tire Centre In Kanata, Ontario on Thursday night. According to TiqIQ.com, tickets are still available and have an average asking price of $83.84 and a walk-in price for as low as $22. There are fewer than 200 tickets remaining for tonight’s tilt. Local hockey fans in the Ontario area can find hotels in Ottawa from $85 using Hipmunk.com. Hipmunk also lists multiple flight options, providing flights to Ottawa with just a few clicks.

The Ottawa Senators may be out the 2014-15 playoff race, but it’s never easy to travel into Ontario and steal a win. The fans will be out in full force to make it as difficult as possible or the Capitals tonight.

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