Blue Jackets  1    Senators  2

Columbus Blue Jackets (12-8-3) at Ottawa Senators (12-7-3), 7:30 p.m.

Sports Network | November 26, 2009

(Sports Network) - The Ottawa Senators will try to get back on track after having their longest winning streak of the season snapped when they welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets for tonight's interconference matchup at Scotiabank Place.

The Senators had won four in a row before getting handed a loss Wednesday evening in New Jersey. It was just the third regulation setback of the month for Ottawa, which is 6-3-1 in November.

Patrik Elias' first goal of the season late in the second period proved to be the game-winner in the Devils' 3-1 victory over the Sens. Milan Michalek tallied the lone score for the Senators, who lost their eighth straight game against New Jersey.

Brian Elliott manned the pipes for Ottawa and finished with 18 saves. Elliot will see the bulk of the work in net going forward after it was learned starter Pascal Leclaire will miss at least the next four weeks with a fractured cheekbone.

The Senators are also expected to be without forward Mike Fisher for a second straight game due to an upper-body injury. However, Ottawa could get veteran winger Alex Kovalev back tonight after he missed the last three games. Kovalev took a leave of absence to return home to Russia following the death of his mother-in-law.

Ottawa is 9-3-3 as the host this season and all four victories on the Sens' recent win streak came on home ice. Following this evening's test, the Senators will head out on a five-game road trip.

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, will try to end a three-game losing streak when they take on the Sens tonight. Columbus has come apart defensively during the 0-2-1 stretch, as it has allowed a total of 16 goals over the span.

One night after losing 7-4 to the New York Rangers on Monday, the Jackets were dealt a 5-3 setback in Montreal. Columbus held a 3-2 lead after two periods against the Canadiens, but the Blue Jackets lost after surrendering three unanswered goals in the final stanza.

Antoine Vermette scored a pair of goals and Anton Stralman added a goal and an assist for Columbus. Mathieu Garon, who appeared shaky throughout the contest, allowed five goals on 29 shots.

"We had the game well in control over two perfect periods," Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We didn't manage the game. We forced pucks. We did not have good goaltending the last two nights. It's got to be better."

The Blue Jackets are expected to start go with Steve Mason in net tonight. Mason has struggled this season after winning the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2008-09. He was pulled in the second period of Monday's loss to the Rangers and is 8-5-3 with a 3.59 goals-against average on the season.

Columbus is capping a five-game road trip tonight and will try to close the trek on a positive note after going 1-2-1 in the first four games. The Blue Jackets are just 6-6-1 as the guest this season.

Tonight marks the lone scheduled meeting between the Sens and Columbus this year. The Blue Jackets notched a 1-0 home victory over Ottawa last year, marking Columbus' third straight win in the series. However, the Jackets have just one win in four all-time trips to Ottawa.