(Sports Network) - With rumors about head coach Cory Clouston's job security swirling around, the Ottawa Senators will try to halt a six-game losing streak when they visit the New York Islanders tonight at Nassau Coliseum.
The Senators are 0-4-2 since posting their last win against Pittsburgh on Dec. 26 and Ottawa currently is third from the bottom in the Eastern Conference with just 38 points on the year. The Islanders are five points back in 14th place.
Clouston's club turned in an awful performance Tuesday night in Boston, as the Sens were blown out in a 6-0 loss to the Bruins. Patrice Bergeron notched his first career hat trick in Boston's victory at TD Garden.
Brian Elliott was shelled in defeat for five goals on 27 shots through two periods for the Senators, who are in the midst of their worst skid since another six-game slide from Nov. 7-20, 2008.
Mike Brodeur took over for Elliott to start the third period and finished with 11 saves on 12 shots.
"Not a lot of good out of that game," Clouston said. "We just had too many errors against a very good team that capitalized on their chances."
Ottawa hasn't lost seven straight since Nov. 21-Dec. 4, 2007.
The Senators have also lost three in a row on the road and are just 7-9-4 as the visiting club this year.
On the injury front, Sens winger Alex Kovalev is expected to miss a second straight game with a knee injury.
The Islanders have lost two straight and New York has also dropped three out of four tilts after recording seven wins in its previous nine contests.
New York dropped a 4-3 shootout decision Tuesday night when it hosted the Vancouver Canucks, who are the top team in the Western Conference this season. Ryan Kesler scored on the final shot of the shootout to lift the Canucks to victory at Nassau Coliseum.
After Roberto Luongo stopped John Tavares, Kesler skated in on net, slowed down and flicked a snap shot into the right corner of the net for a win.
Blake Comeau had a goal and an assist while Jack Hillen and Tavares each lit the lamp for the Islanders.
Kevin Poulin, making just his second NHL start, stopped 48 shots in a losing effort for the Isles. Poulin or fellow rookie Nathan Lawson is expected to get the start tonight as Rick DiPietro is questionable again with a strained adductor muscle.
Isles forward Frans Nielsen is also questionable for tonight after has missing the last four games with a strained groin. Nielsen has five goals and 19 points in 37 games for New York this season.
New York began a five-game homestand Tuesday against the Canucks and is 7-7-4 as the host this year.
The Isles and Sens met just once this season back on Nov. 4, when Ottawa recorded a 4-1 home victory.Jason Spezza, who is currently sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury, had a goal and three assists in that win for the Sens.
Ottawa has won five of six overall in the series, but the Isles have taken three of the last four encounters on Long Island.