Ottawa @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 2, 2019 ) Detroit 2, Ottawa 0

The Ottawa Senators own the worst record in hockey and have nowhere to go but up as they prepare to open a four-game road trip with a visit to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. The Red Wings also have been slumping and are only four points ahead of Ottawa in the Atlantic Division, but the Senators are tied for the fewest wins away from home with seven.

Ottawa's bid to complete a perfect three-game homestand went by the boards when it allowed four third-period goals in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to Carolina. The Senators beat Detroit twice earlier this season but dropped a 2-0 decision at home to the Red Wings on Feb. 2, part of a 2-6-0 stretch. Detroit plays six of its next seven at home after halting a three-game slide with a 3-2 win at Nashville. "We just competed," forward Luke Glendening told reporters after the win over the Predators. "To get two points here is big."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, RDS2, TSN5 (Ottawa), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE SENATORS (21-30-5): With the trade deadline less than two weeks way, rumors continue to swirl that Ottawa could part ways with at least one of their top three forwards. Mark Stone and Matt Duchene, the team's top two scorers, and Ryan Dzingel will all be unrestricted free agents after the season. “You take it for what it is, it’s that time of year,” forward Bobby Ryan said. “We’re in a results-driven business. You feel for the guys who are really going through it. That being said, you still have to go to work, right? You’ve still got to get to the rink and get the job done.”

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (22-28-7): Forward Tyler Bertuzzi suffered a concussion in Detroit's final game before the All-Star break, but he could be back against Ottawa after he was sidelined for the past six contests. "I’m feeling better. I’m hoping for Thursday, maybe,” said Bertuzzi, who was skating on the No. 1 line alongside Dylan Larkin and Gustav Nyquist when he was hurt. The possibility of the 23-year-old Bertuzzi returning seemed to get a boost Wednesday when the Red Wings cleared a roster spot by waiving forward Martin Frk, who has one goal and four assists in 25 games this season.

OVERTIME

1. Larkin has six goals in eight games, giving him a career-high 24.

2. Stone has four goals and two assists during a four-game point streak.

3. Red Wings G Jonathan Bernier made 35 saves against Detroit on Feb. 2 for his first shutout of the season.

PREDICTION: Red Wings 3, Senators 2