After a perfect 3-0 road trip, the Ottawa Senators will return home to host the Washington Capitals tonight followed by home games against the Bruins and Islanders on the weekend. In the previous home stand, the Senators went 1-2-2 but a good road trip helped recover the lost ground.

A regulation win tonight would put the Senators nine points ahead of Washington though a loss could bring the lead down to five. Also, a win coupled with a Bruins loss would also bring the Senators level on points with Boston, albeit with four extra games played. With another game against the division leaders on the road next week, Ottawa has the opportunity to really put the pressure on the Bruins if they can continue their strong play.

More after the jump.

Here are today's links:

• The forward lines were unchanged in practise. 1) Michalek-Spezza-Butler, 2) Greening-Turris-Alfredsson, 3) Daugavins-Smith-Condra, 4) Foligno-O'Brien-Neil. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
• The defence was unchanged as well. 1) Kuba-Karlsson, 2) Phillips-Gonchar, 3) Cowen-Lee. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
• Bryan Murray is unlikely to trade either Filip Kuba or Sergei Gonchar. (Senators Extra, Ottawa Sun, Sportsnet)
• Erik Karlsson doesn't know how good he will be in five years, joking that it is possible some other young player will take his spot and Karlsson will be the defensive defenceman. Daniel Alfredsson, Paul MacLean, Eugene Melnyk and the rest of the world are all very impressed with Karlsson. (Senators Extra)
• Don Brennan wants to sign Karlsson for 9-years $60 million. (Ottawa Sun)
• Here is the audio of the pre-game from MacLean, Alfredsson and Karlsson. (Senators Extra)