Duchene’s recovery gives Sens some hope

Centre adds needed

Two of the NHL’S rebuilding franchises clash Friday.

The Ottawa Senators (15-16-4) head to New Jersey to tangle with the Devils.

Ottawa is coming off a 4-3 overtime victory against Nashville.

Here are five things to watch for Friday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.:

1.

Duchene’s return

Before leaving a Dec. 4 game with a groin injury, Senators centre Matt Duchene had eight goals and 14 assists in his previous 14 games. The Senators have received an early Christmas gift due to the jolt of offence.

2.

Energy

The Senators have dealt with their share of bad scheduling, but this has been a sweet week. While the Senators have been idle since Monday, the Devils will be playing their third game in four nights, including a visit to Columbus Thursday. Major advantage, Ottawa.

3.

Vying for a playoff spot Before Thursday’s games, the Senators remained five points out of a playoff spot. A win over New Jersey, coupled with a victory against Washington at home Saturday, could put them back into the post-season conversation. But they need to take care of business in New Jersey.

4.

Instilling doubt

After their Cinderella season, the Devils have been a disappointment, sitting in the Eastern Conference basement. The goaltending has been sub-standard — the Senators could see either Keith Kincaid or rookie Mackenzie Blackwood — and the Senators need to take advantage of the weakness.

5.

Losing the road excuses

As impressive as the Senators have been at home, they remain one of the league’s worst on the road — New Jersey is giving them competition in that area — winning only four of 16 games. Sure, matchups are more difficult away from Canadian Tire Centre, but Senators coach Guy Boucher has an almost completely healthy lineup at his disposal.

In other NHL news: The Carolina Hurricanes activated forward Jordan Staal from injured reserve. Staal missed five games with a concussion. He entered Thursday’s action with five goals and six assists in 27 games this season.

The Buffalo Sabres are set to terminate the remaining 3½ seasons of Patrik Berglund’s contract after the forward cleared waivers.

The Sabres waived Berglund Wednesday after suspending him for failing to report to the team for its road game Saturday at Washington. Berglund missed five games, including two last week when coach Phil Housley said the player was sidelined by an illness.

Berglund was owed US$9.85 million over the final three years of his contract along with what’s left of the $4.7 million he was set to earn this year.

Buffalo acquired the 30-year-old in a four-player trade in July.

Berglund spent his first 10 seasons with the Blues, recording 168 goals and 322 points in 694 games. He had two goals and two assists with Buffalo.