Sens visit Flyers aiming to avoid consecutive loses
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Ottawa Senators will try to avoid losing consecutive games for the first time in two weeks when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers for Saturday's matinee at Wells Fargo Center.
Ottawa had won five straight before getting dealt Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss by Boston. The contest marked the start of a five-game road trip for the Senators, who fell to 3-5-1 as the guest compared to their stellar 9-1-2 home mark.
Patrice Bergeron scored the game-winner with 1:22 remaining in overtime, although a review was needed to determine if it was a good goal or not.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After a right-circle faceoff win, Bergeron redirected a point drive from Dennis Seidenberg between Ottawa goaltender Robin Lehner's pads. The puck trickled through the crease and appeared to barely make it totally across the goal line before eventually being pushed further into the net.
There was no audible whistle to halt action, and play was not stopped until an official behind the cage waved his hands to indicate a review. After a brief check, the goal stood to end the contest.
"I thought we played a really good road game. It's really hard to win in this building," Lehner said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jim O'Brien tallied the lone goal for Ottawa and Lehner made 44 saves in the tough loss.
"Coming into a building like this with probably the hottest team in the conference, we played them toe-to-toe and that's something to take away," Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson said.
With No. 1 goaltender Craig Anderson still sidelined with a sprained right ankle, Ben Bishop is expected to get the start in net on Saturday. Anderson has missed the last three games and is close to returning to action but has yet to go through a full practice with the team.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Meanwhile, Philadelphia goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov figures to get his 21st start in 23 games for the Flyers this season when the club completes a five- game homestand on Saturday.
The Flyers are 2-2-0 during the homestand and have won four of six games overall. Bryzgalov helped Philly notch Wednesday's 4-1 win over Washington, as he stopped 23-of-24 shots and was 2:09 short of a shutout.
Simon Gagne also scored a goal in his first game back in Philadelphia to help the Flyers earn the two points. Acquired by the Flyers in a trade with the Kings on Tuesday, Gagne scored his first goal of the season and first with the Flyers since he was traded to Tampa Bay in 2010.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Flew in late last night from L.A. and tried to get some sleep," said Gagne. "It was tough, though, because I'm so happy to be back here. Getting that goal made me real happy and hopefully it's a sign of things to come."
Claude Giroux posted a goal and an assist while Wayne Simmonds and Max Talbot also scored for the Flyers, who are 6-3-1 as the host this season.
Philadelphia is hoping defenseman Erik Gustafsson can play Saturday after leaving in the second period of Wednesday's game with a lower-body injury. He was back at practice on Friday and is expected to play against the Sens.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Flyers and Sens split four encounters in 2011-12 and each team has four wins over the last eight meetings. Ottawa had lost three straight in Philly before posting a 4-3 shootout win at the Wells Fargo Center on March 31 of last season.