Knocking on the door along with Ottawa are perennial Atlantic Division also-rans Montreal and Detroit. Also in the Eastern Conference mix are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hopped over the Bruins in the standings on Thursday and are everyone’s sentimental favorite in this surprise run after the Johnny Gaudreau tragedy last summer.

Saad recorded a natural hat trick for the Blues against the Ottawa Senators and scored all three of them against another former Jacket Anton Forsberg. The goals were Saad's 5th, 6th, and 7th of the season. The goals were Saad's first since November 14th, and his first points since December 3rd. The Blues beat the Senators 4-0.

The Ottawa Senators look on course to make the playoffs, and their GM wants to stay on that path. But Adam Proteau thinks they shouldn't rule out a trade to push them further.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot will be out of the lineup on a day-to-day basis after taking a puck to the face in Tuesday’s 2-0 road win over the New York Islanders.

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Perron, 36, hasn't played since late November due to a nagging back injury. The former Stanley Cup winner has yet to live up to the two-year, $8 million contract he signed with the Senators in the offseason, failing to register a point in his nine appearances so far.

Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn and Cam Fowler each had a goal and an assist, and Colton Parayko also scored for the Blues (19-18-4), who had won two straight and four of five. Dylan Holloway had two assists, and Joel Hofer made 33 saves.

Blue Jackets take down the Blues in their ninth game scoring six-plus goals before reaching halfway point of the season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko scored in the shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets rallied to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko scored in the shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets rallied to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Zach Werenski scored twice for Columbus,

St. Louis only scores 2.69 goals per game, while the Jackets are sitting at 3.31, which is 8th in the league. The Blue Jackets are giving up a whopping 3.62 goals per game, which is the second-worst in the league. The Blue are giving up an even 3 per game.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, featuring Kris Letang, face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday at 4:00 PM ET, at PPG Paints Arena. Considering a bet on Letang? We have some numbers and figures to help you along the way.