Flyers attempt to hand Senators fifth loss in seven games

— -- PHILADELPHIA -- The high-powered Ottawa Senators have run into a bump in the road the last two weeks. Losers of four of their last six games, the Senators attempt to get back in gear Thursday when they hook up with Philadelphia Flyers in a matchup of Eastern Conference heavyweights. Ottawa, which leads the NHL with 133 goals scored and 65 goals allowed, has appeared unbeatable at times with its two legitimate scoring lines and formidable defense to go along with future Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek in net. However, the Senators have returned to earth over the last six games, the latest slip up coming Tuesday in a 4-3 shootout loss to Montreal. Jason Spezza and defensemen Zdeno Chara and Andrej Meszaros scored for Ottawa, while Hasek made 33 saves before allowing a pair of goals in the shootout. Philadelphia is coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to Buffalo on Monday despite a regulation goal from Mike Knuble and a shootout tally from Peter Forsberg. Playing in place of Robert Esche (groin), Antero Niittymaki made 27 saves for the Flyers, who had won three of their previous four games. Philadelphia, which has been beset by injuries this season, does receive a boost Thursday with the return of Simon Gagne, who has missed the last five games with a groin injury. Gagne, who was named to Team Canada on Wednesday, leads the team with 23 goals and is second with 37 points. In the first meeting between the teams this year, which took place October 30 in Ottawa, Knuble scored twice and Gagne added a goal and an assist in the 5-3 victory.