The set-up
The Sens (32-42-7) saw it four-game winning streak end Thursday night as they were shutout 4-0 by Florida at Canadian Tire Centre.
Philadelphia (25-45-11) were also shutout 4-0 in their last outing on Wednesday against Winnipeg and are 2-3-0 over their last five games.
Both teams have trended in opposite directions this month: the Sens nine wins are tied for the seventh most in the NHL while the Flyers four victories are tied for the second fewest in the league.
Despite being shutout for the ninth time this season last night, Ottawa has averaged 3.33 goals per game over the final month of the season, good for 12th in the NHL while the team's power play ranks ninth at 22.7 per cent.
The Flyers power play has converted just 4.8 per cent of the time in April and they own the worst power play in the league in 2021-22 at 11.9 per cent. They are also the third lowest scoring team in the NHL at 2.57 goals per game and own the sixth worst penalty kill.
Regardless of tonight's result, the Sens will have recorded more road wins than home wins this season. Ottawa went 15-22-4 at Canadian Tire Centre this season and with one road game remaining are 17-20-3 away from home.
Roster notes
Viktor Lodin will make his NHL debut tonight and become the fifth Senator to play his first NHL game this season after Mark Kastelic, Mads Sogaard, Egor Sokolov and Lassi Thomson.
"From all accounts he's played really well down [in Belleville] and they want to reward him heading into the playoffs so we'll get a look at him tonight," Sens head coach D.J. Smith said. "He's new down there but he's played really well according to [Belleville head coach] Troy Mann."
In nine games with Belleville, Lodin has five goals and seven points. Before he came to North America, the 22-year-old had 12 goals and 27 points in 44 games with Timra in the SHL.
Anton Forsberg will start tonight for the Sens. The Swede is 21-17-4 with a 2.84 GAA and a .916 save percentage this season.
Previous history
Tonight is the 102nd all-time meeting between the Sens and Flyers. Ottawa is 43-44-6 with eight ties previously and in Philadelphia, have won 18 of 50 games.
The Senators collected a point in Philly Dec. 18 after a 4-3 overtime loss before a 3-1 win at Canadian Tire Centre on March 18.
In two games against the Flyers, Alex Formenton has two goals and two assists while Tim Stützle also has a pair of goals.
Who to watch
Heading into tonight's finale, Brady Tkachuk sits one goal shy of 30 on the season. The Sens captain continues to lead the team in assists (36) and points (65) while his 267 hits rank fifth in the NHL.
Josh Norris sits one goal shy of 35 this season while Drake Batherson is three points away from 100 in his career
Where to watch
Thursday's game can be seen live on TSN5 and RDS at 7 p.m. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5
