Canadiens at Senators
THE STORY: A lengthy winning streak has helped the Ottawa Senators put a dismal start behind them. The Montreal Canadiens look to do the same as they visit the rival Senators on Friday night. Montreal has won three straight games, and a fourth would move the club back to the .500 mark for the season - giving them a much-needed reprieve from frustrated fans. To do so, they'll need to be sharp against a Senators club that had its own five-game winning streak halted by the Stanley Cup-champion Boston Bruins last time out. Ottawa has been one of the top home teams in the league so far this season, winning five of its first seven games at Scotiabank Place. Ottawa will be without forward Daniel Alfredsson for the third straight game. He's dealing with concussion symptoms and there is no timetable for his return.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, RDS, Rogers Sportsnet East
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (4-5-2): The key to Montreal's recent success has been the ability to keep its opponent off the scoresheet. After struggling with defensive-zone turnovers and ordinary goaltending through the first eight games, the Canadiens have returned to their defensively responsible style and it has paid off handsomely - they've allowed just four goals during the streak. Special teams play has also improved, with the Canadiens killing off 11 of 12 shorthanded situations in the last three games.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (7-6-0): Ottawa wasn't pleased that New York Rangers forward Wojtek Wolski wasn't suspended for the hit to Alfredsson's head that resulted in his concussion. Alfredsson was more diplomatic. "(League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan) explained their position and the process they went through with not going anywhere further with this and I said I understood," Alfredsson said. "I don't totally agree, but I think no matter what they do they're going to get (grief)."
OVERTIME:
1. Montreal won four of six meetings between the teams last season, including a 7-1 romp on Jan. 21. The Canadiens were 2-0-1 in Ottawa.
2. The Senators are one of only eight remaining teams that have yet to lose an overtime or shootout game this season.