Senators begin four-game home stand against Oilers

The Ottawa Senators are in need of turning around their season in an already tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference after dropping back-to-back games against the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes to fall to 8-8-1 on the season.

Although the Senators have dropped their past two games and host the defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers tonight, playing at home will always offer confidence, and the Senators are comfortable with playing at home.

Senators host Oilers to begin their four-game home stand

The Senators host the Oilers on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Canadian Tire Centre with puck drop at 7 p.m. ET. The Senators have a 5-2-1 home record to add a boost of confidence as they begin their four-game home stand.

In the Senators' last game against the Hurricanes on Saturday night, nothing seemed to go right. The Senators were shutout for the first time this season with suffering a 4-0 loss.

The Senators trailed 1-0 late in the second period, then the Hurricanes scored a powerplay goal with under a minute left in the second period, and scored a powerplay goal in the opening minute of the third period. Anton Forsberg would finish the game with making 24 saves in the loss.

Even with entering tonight with losing two consecutive games, head coach Travis Green is still confident. After yesterday's practice, Green believes the Senators can be over .500 if they continue to play the way they've been playing lately.

As for the Oilers, they have been struggling as defending champions of the Western Conference this season with a 9-8-2 record. The Oilers were shutout last night 3-0 against the Montreal Canadiens to lose their second consecutive game.

To no surprise, the Oilers' dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are at it again this season. Draisaitl leads the Oilers with 13 goals and 24 points, and McDavid is second in points on the Oilers with 21 and leading the team in assists with 14.

The Senators got help yesterday with the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers both losing in regulation. The Detroit Red Wings also lost in overtime, but earned one point to remain behind the Senators in the standings.

If the Senators are going to be over .500 with Green's comments, tonight's game adds more pressure on the team. Last season against the Oilers, the Senators split the season series.