Ottawa, Ontario (My Sportsbook) - The Pittsburgh Penguins seek their third consecutive victory tonight when they visit the
Ottawa Senators at the Corel Centre.
Pittsburgh, which is 5-1-2 since a 6-0 loss to Toronto on opening night, is coming off Monday's 3-2 home victory over Jaromir Jagr, Robert Lang and the Washington Capitals. A stitched-up Mario Lemieux, who was cut by a puck in the first period, chipped in a goal and an assist, including the eventual game- winner with 7:11 remaining in the second period.
Shean Donovan and Jan Hrdina also scored for the Penguins, while goaltender Johan Hedberg stopped 40 shots, including all 14 he faced in the third period.
Lemieux now leads the NHL with 15 assists and 20 points. The 37-year-old has contributed at least a point in all eight games since the Pens' 6-0 season- opening loss to Toronto. Linemate Alexei Kovalev has accomplished the same feat, notching seven goals and seven assists in that time.
Pittsburgh, 1-1-1 away from home, begins a tough road stretch this evening. Rick Kehoe's crew plays five of its next six on hostile ice. The lone exception is Saturday's matchup with Tampa Bay.
Ottawa, meanwhile, returns home from a winless road trip tonight. The Sens went 0-2-1 during the trek, including back-to-back losses to Montreal and Philadelphia. On Tuesday night at the First Union Center, Jacques Martin's club dropped a 2-1 decision to the Flyers.
Rookie center Jason Spezza scored his first NHL goal during a second-period power play, but Philly captain Keith Primeau snapped a 1-1 tie with 2:59 remaining in the frame. The Senators were unable to solve goaltender Roman Cechmanek thereafter, and the Czech made several key stops in the waning minutes of the match to maintain the lead.
Patrick Lalime finished with 26 stops in the losing cause.
Ottawa begins a brief home set tonight, and will host Detroit on Saturday.
Pittsburgh and Ottawa split four games last season, with the Sens taking the final two meetings. The teams are 4-4-2 in the last 10 clashes overall.
