GAME: Calgary Flames (30-21-5-3) at Ottawa Senators (32-15-8-5).

TIME: Saturday, 2 p.m. EST.

While the finish to their last game wasn't satisfying, the Ottawa Senators can't be too disappointed with the way they've played lately.

Ottawa continues its battle for first place in the Northeast Division and the Eastern Conference when the Calgary Flames make their only appearance of the season at the Corel Centre.

Peter Bondra scored a goal in his first game with the Senators, but Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk scored with 10 seconds left in regulation, and Shawn McEachern's goal 72 seconds into overtime gave the Thrashers a 3-2 victory Thursday.

Although the loss stopped Ottawa's five-game unbeaten streak since the All-Star break, it gave them at least a point in seven straight games (4-0-1-2). The Senators haven't lost a home game in regulation since a 3-2 defeat to Boston on Dec. 13. They are 13-0-2-2 at the Corel Centre during that span.

Bondra, acquired from Washington on Wednesday, spent his entire 14-year career with the Capitals.

"It was a little disappointing to lose," Bondra said. "But I'm happy the debut is behind me. I'm looking forward to the next game."

Thursday's loss left the Senators one point behind Toronto for first in the Northeast Division and the top seed in the East.

After finishing February with a home game against Buffalo, Ottawa plays 13 of its final 17 contests on the road.

Calgary is in position to end the NHL's longest active playoff drought at seven years, but is just three points ahead of ninth-place Los Angeles.

Bidding for their first five-game win streak in seven years, the Flames allowed four unanswered goals in a 4-1 loss at Montreal on Thursday.

"We got outworked. We got outcompeted," Calgary captain Jarome Iginla said.

The only bright spot for the Flames was the 30th goal of the season by Iginla, who has reached the 30-goal plateau in each of the past four seasons.

"It is a good feeling," said Iginla, who has scored in all five games since the All-Star break. "I'm thankful to be in the NHL. I'm happy that I've been able to get 30 goals again. Hopefully I'll be able to keep going."

Thursday's loss marked the first time in 17 games that Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff allowed more than two goals. He leads the league with a 1.53 goals-against average.

STANDINGS (through Feb. 19): Flames - 68 points, 3rd place, 10 PB, Northwest Division. Senators - 77 points, 2nd place (tied), 1 PB, Northeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Flames - Iginla, 30 goals and 54 points; Iginla and Craig Conroy, 24 assists; Krzysztof Oliwa, 183 PIM. Senators - Marian Hossa, 26 goals, 37 assists and 63 points; Chris Neil, 135 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS (through Feb. 19): Flames - Power play: 15.9 percent (42 for 264), 16th in NHL. Penalty killing: 84.3 percent (209 for 248), 17th. Senators - Power play: 22.5 percent (65 for 289), 1st. Penalty killing: 84.7 percent (216 for 255), 15th.

GOALTENDERS: Flames - Kiprusoff (14-4-2, 1 SO, 1.53 GAA); Roman Turek (4-8-0, 1, 2.78). Senators - Patrick Lalime (20-16-6, 3, 2.29); Martin Prusek (11-4-2, 3, 1.80).

2002-03 SEASON SERIES: Senators, 1-0.

LAST MEETING: Jan. 9, 2003; Senators, 1-0. At Calgary, Alberta, Wade Redden scored in the first period and Lalime stopped 21 shots.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Flames - 14-10-1-2 on the road; Senators - 19-7-4-4 at home.

— Associated Press