GAME: Carolina Hurricanes (25-31-13-6) at Ottawa Senators (39-21-9-5).

TIME: Saturday, 7 p.m. EST.

The Ottawa Senators hope to continue their dominance of Carolina and keep pace in the race for first place in the Northeast Division as they host the Hurricanes.

Recording just two wins in their last five games, the Senators are tied with Toronto for second place in the Northeast, and just one point behind first-place Boston. The Senators are also tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference, five points back of Tampa Bay.

Including a 2-0-1 mark this season, the Senators are 8-0-3 in their last 11 meetings with Carolina dating to the 2000-01 season.

A letdown against the Hurricanes could prove costly to the Senators, who will begin a critical six-game road trip Tuesday. Ottawa has one game remaining against Boston and two with Toronto.

The Senators ended a two-game slide with a 2-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Peter Schaefer and Wade Redden scored first-period goals, and Patrick Lalime made 23 saves for his first shutout in over two months.

The Senators extended their home point streak to 22 games. Ottawa hasn't lost in regulation at home (17-3-2) since a Dec. 13 defeat to Boston.

"It's probably a confidence thing," Schaefer said of the home success. "We got home after a long road trip, got some rest, and I think that's a big key, mentally and physically."

The Hurricanes have gained a point in five straight games (3-0-0-2), including a 4-3 overtime loss to the league-worst Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.

The Hurricanes have earned at least one point in 10 consecutive road games (6-0-1-3) but are 11 points behind the New York Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Carolina had a 3-2 lead when Dick Tarnstrom beat goaltender Kevin Weekes with a backhander from the left circle with 5:15 to play in the third period.

"This was a tough one to let slip through our fingers because we needed it bad," said Kevyn Adams, whose goal at 9:47 of the third period gave Carolina its first lead of the game.

STANDINGS: Hurricanes - 69 points, 4th place, 28 PB, Southeast Division. Senators - 92 points, 2nd place (tied), 1 PB, Northeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Hurricanes - Erik Cole, 17 goals; Justin Williams, 28 assists; Cole and Williams, 39 points; Jesse Boulerice, 120 PIM. Senators - Marian Hossa, 33 goals and 77 points; Daniel Alfredsson, 45 assists; Chris Neil, 171 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS (through March 18): Hurricanes - Power play: 11.0 percent (38 for 347), 30th in NHL. Penalty killing: 82.0 percent (265 for 323), 24th. Senators - Power play: 22.2 percent (77 for 347), 2nd. Penalty killing: 83.2 percent (262 for 315), 21st.

GOALTENDERS: Hurricanes - Weekes (22-27-10, 6 SO, 2.24 GAA); Arturs Irbe (3-1-1, 0, 1.97). Senators - Lalime (24-21-7, 4, 2.30); Martin Prusek (14-5-2, 3, 1.91).

SEASON SERIES: Senators, 2-0-1.

LAST MEETING: Jan. 20; Senators, 3-1. At Carolina, Hossa and Daniel Alfredsson scored in the first period, while Lalime had to make just 13 saves.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Hurricanes - 13-16-5-3 on the road; Senators - 23-7-5-4 at home.

— Associated Press