Ryan Shannon News

Kings forward Wayne Simmonds beats Ottawa goalie Brian Elliott on a penalty shot in the first period of Thursday's game.

This is the opportunity Brian Elliott hoped he would get when he signed a two-year deal with the Ottawa Senators during the summer.

Jesse Winchester, who had two assists Thursday night, says he has become more sure of his role on the team.

Suddenly, the Ottawa Senators have been bitten by the bad-health bug like so many of their opponents.

Senators forward Mike Fisher tries to get the puck past Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov as Matt Bradley holds on at Scotiabank Place on Monday.

One period into last night''s showdown with the Washington Capitals, the Senators best line was their fourth -- Peter Regin between Jesse Winchester and Ryan Shannon -- with Winchester, who was playing in just his fifth game of the season, the team's most effective player.

Ottawa fans hope there's more to come from Jonathan Cheechoo, left, who's scored twice in the last five games.

Kovalev will miss tomorrow's game against the Sabres while he's in Russia following the death of his mother-in-law and Shean Donovan will be out possibly long term after suffering a knee injury from a knee-on-knee hit in Thursday nights game.

Shean Donovan could miss the rest of the season if the knee injury he suffered Thursday is as serious as the Sens fear it might be.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Pascal Leclaire lets in a goal by the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period of NHL ice hockey action in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 12, 2009.

The Sens' Peter Regin will be a healthy scratch tonight against the Leafs. Peter Regin will be taking a seat for the Battle of Ontario.

Brian Elliott is getting the call. Senators' coach Cory Clouston announced late this morning that the club's backup will make the start against the New York Rangers in today's matinee at Scotiabank Place.

Cory Clouston keeps his starting goalie a mystery until Game Day. He is going to stick with that policy until tomorrow.

Ryan Shannon will be in and Jesse Winchester and Shean Donovan will sit as the Ottawa Senators take on Ray Emery and the Philadelphia Flyers here tonight.

In late October, Pascal Leclaire was a shadow of his former self, dropping a good 10 pounds while fighting the flu.

Jason Spezza scored the winning goal in the shootout for the Ottawa Senators, who twice came from behind to beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 on Tuesday night.

The Senators are making some lineup changes tonight to try and salvage at least a .500 record as they wrap up a four-game home stand.

Seconds before Jason Spezza's game-winning goal Thursday night, Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston took Alex Kovalev off the ice, replacing him with Mike Fisher.

Jason Spezza celebrates with his teammates after his overtime goal against the Lightning.

The Calgary Flames now lead the league in shots. Those would be H1N1 flu shots and shots to the organization's reputation after the club arranged for its players and their families to get the vaccine ahead of other Alberta residents.