Ottawa Senators Lose Ground In First Night of Break

Mar 11, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) jumps into the air after scoring a goal during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated Detroit 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

The Ottawa Senators are playing the waiting game before they can take the ice again to resume their playoff chase on Saturday night in Montreal.

Entering the night 3 points out of a playoff spot, the Senators lost ground on Tuesday night. With the Columbus Blue Jackets defeating the Detroit Red Wings 4-1, it moved Columbus into a tie for the 3rd seed in the Metropolitan Division with the Philadelphia Flyers (who lost to the Devils), knocking Philly down to the 8th spot based on the tiebreakers.  They are both 5 points up on the Senators with an even number of games played.

With the loss the Wings remain 3 points up on Ottawa.  New Jersey moved 3 points up on Ottawa by virtue of their win over the Flyers, while Washington lost for the second night in a row to Pittsburgh and remain 2 ahead of the Senators.

The Senators also need to look over their shoulders as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New York Rangers to pull within 3 points of the Senators.

Fortunately for the Senators, while they are on the ice for the Skills Competition Wednesday, there are no teams playing that directly affect the Senators current playoff chances.  Montreal is hosting Boston, but the Habs are still 9 points ahead of the Senators and are not on their radar…yet.