SUNRISE (CBSMiami/SportsDirect) – The fight for the Atlantic Division should be an exciting one as the NHL season nears the playoffs.
The Ottawa Senators are challenging for first place while trying to hold on tight to a playoff position in the crowded Eastern Conference as they visit the division-rival Florida Panthers on Sunday night.
The Senators are four points behind division-leading Montreal and two up on the New York Islanders – the ninth-place team in the East – after a disappointing 3-0 loss at Carolina on Friday.
Ottawa will likely be without three key injured forwards – Mark Stone (neck), Mike Hoffman (groin) and Bobby Ryan (finger) – again as they attempt to rejuvenate an offense that produced four goals in the last three games.