GAME DAY PREVIEW: SENATORS VERSUS RANGERS

The Series So Far

The Ottawa Senators finish four straight games at home against a Rangers team that defeated them 3-2 in overtime on Jan. 20 in New York. Carl Hagelin tipped a puck past Craig Anderson with just over two minutes to play in the extra period.

Players to watch

Derick Brassard, Rangers: The Hull native, the sixth overall pick by Columbus in 2006, is 27 and enjoying the best season of his career. Brassard, whose previous career-best was 47 points in 2010-11 with the Blue Jackets, had 54 points through 69 games coming into the week and was No. 2 in Rangers scoring. He has 15 goals but had been cold around the net lately, with just two in his past 22 games. Rick Nash, Rangers: A Maurice Richard Trophy seemed possible in mid-February when Nash led the NHL in goal scoring, but a cool spell had allowed Alex Ovechkin to take a commanding lead. Nash, with 39, trails Ovechkin (47) and Steven Stamkos (40). Power-play production — or lack thereof — has hurt Nash, who has five goals on a very mediocre Rangers power play (21st in the league, 17.5 per cent success rate) while Ovechkin had scored 21 times on the power play for Washington (power play No. 2 at 24.9). Despite having just two goals in his past 13 games entering the week, Nash should easily surpass the career-high 41 set in his sophomore season, 2003-04. Kyle Turris, Senators: The NHL’s reigning second star of the week came into this week with 21 goals and 52 points, giving him a legitimate shot at surpassing the career-high 58 points he had last season.

Capital Connection

The Rangers’ Brassard and Dan Boyle are both from the national capital area, Brassard a Hull native and Boyle grew up in Ottawa. TV: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, RDS, TSN5 Radio: TSN 1200