Game 52 preview: Dallas Stars @ Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators will look to rebound from a pair of blowout losses when they host the Dallas Stars tonight. After losing 4-0 to Buffalo on Saturday, the Senators followed that up with a 6-0 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday. The Stars lost 3-1 in Toronto on Tuesday and have lost three in a row overall.

The Senators are still second in the division, but are now tied in points with Toronto, although Ottawa holds a game in hand. Ottawa is also two points ahead of Boston with four games in hand and four points ahead of Florida with one game in hand. Dallas is 28th overall in the NHL and are seven points behind Calgary for the final wild card spot.

Mike Condon will start in net for Ottawa and Fredrik Claesson will replace Chris Neil meaning the Senators will play seven defencemen tonight. Here are the lines for tonight.

Smith - Brassard - Stone
Dzingel - Turris - Ryan
Hoffman - Pageau - Pyatt
Kelly - Wingels

Methot - Karlsson
Phaneuf - Ceci
Claesson - Wideman
Borowiecki

Condon (starter)
Hammond

Some notes for tonight:

• The Senators have another three games left on this home stand, all against teams currently outside the playoff picture. It is too early to panic after two bad games, but they can't let this linger for too much longer.
• There weren't a lot of bright spots against St. Louis but Mike Hoffman had another night with plenty of chances and four shots on goal.
• Ottawa is now 21-8-6 in games decided by one goal or two goals and 6-10 in games decided by three or more.
• The Stars are tied for the NHL lead with ten overtime/shootout losses. Nine of them have been in the 3-on-3 overtime period.
• Dallas has allowed 70 goals in the third period and 3-on-3 overtime, which is the most in the NHL.
• The Senators are 17-3-2 when they score the first goal, which is the second highest winning percentage in the NHL. The Capitals lead with 31-4-4.
• Dallas is one of nine teams without a regulation loss when leading after two periods. They are also the only team without a win when trailing after two periods.
• Mike Hoffman's 144 shots on goal are 39th in the NHL. The next highest Senator is Derick Brassard who is 75th with 126.
• Amazingly, Cody Ceci is 27th in the NHL in average ice time per game. He plays more on even strength than the likes of Victor Hedman, Shea Weber and Aaron Ekblad.
• Despite his heavy minutes this year, Karlsson has taken only nine minor penalties this season. By comparison, Dion Phaneuf has taken 29 minor penalties, which is the second most in the NHL behind Matthew Tkachuk's 30./