With 34 games left, the Senators control their destiny. A visit by the Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada, which will kick off back-to-back games that include a visit by the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday, might be what this group needs to get out of its current funk.

The Ottawa Senators are victors of back to back matchups over the weekend with travel. With those points earned, the Senators have climbed to first in the wild card playoff race and have bumped Boston out.

A commitment to defence has been a central theme for the Senators, not just Tkachuk, under new head coach Travis Green. The Senators have the sixth-best goals-against rate in the league, a 180-degree turn from the fifth-worst in the league last season.

They’re now 3-4-3 since the Christmas break, partially due to a major uptick in quality chances allowed at five-on-five; they were at 2.18 per 60 heading into the holiday, fourth-best in the NHL. In the 10 games since, though, they’re over 2.5.

Brandon Duhaime had a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who are 5-0-3 in their past eight games, and Logan Thompson made 19 saves in his first shutout as a Capital. Acquired in an offseason trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, Thompson improved to 19-2-3 on the season.

The Fan Blog writes... Eklund on Flyers: Eagles Game Thread. Just cuz….

The New York Islanders hosted the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night to wrap up their season series. The game was uneventful as both defenses stepped up and aside from an Adam Gaudette goal in the second period and an empty-net goal,

Looking forward to getting back in front of our fans Click to watch Drake Batherson's postgame ... three points in the standings, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are just a point behind the Red ...

After Drake Batherson averaged a point and a half per game in the QMJHL and was an impact player for Team Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championship (seven goals) last season, there was ample ...

Right now, I think Brady Tkachuk is eight games without a point. Drake Batherson has one goal in 17 games. Claude Giroux hasn’t scored since he was in Philadelphia. I am exaggerating ...

Universal Music has filed a motion to dismiss Drake‘s petition for pre-suit deposition in Bexar County, Texas, citing lack of evidence in the rapper’s claims against the record company that it ...

He made a big save on Drake Batherson early in the second period to keep the score tied. Senators: Ottawa tightened up defensively when most needed and was able to hold the Maple Leafs at bay.