Gabriel Bourque scores his second goal with the Predators in Ottawa.

After the tough loss at home on Tuesday night, the Predators packed up and headed East to the capital of Canada to face to Ottawa Senators. Former Ottawa Senator, Mike Fisher, was given a standing ovation by the home crowd, his first game back in Ottawa since being traded to the Predators. Fisher spent his first 11 years of his NHL career in Ottawa and is missed dearly in Ottawa, but Nashville is happier to have him. Would the arrival of Mike Fisher mean the Senators would go soft on the Predators? Absolutely not. After losing seven straight games, the Senators were itching for a weak spot in the Predators and were able to capitalize on it, winning in regulation 4-3. Here are the highlights from Thursday’s game in Ottawa:

KEY POINTS:

• Brandon Yip, Jack Hillen, and Brian McGrattan were all scratched for Thursday’s game, the typical bunch. Again, McGrattan could have livened up the game a bit, we think.
• Ottawa wasted no time adding points to the board with a wrist shot passed Pekka Rinne at 4:46 by Jason Spezza, his 21st goal of the season.
• Fourteen minutes later, the Predators would put the pressure on Ottawa, with a wrist shot from rookie Gabriel Bourque at 18:46, his second goal of the season and as a Nashville Predator. He was assisted by Jordin Tootoo and Ryan Suter.
• Ottawa’s Chris Phillips would put the Senators up 2-1 at 7:50 in the second period with a wrist shot passed Pekka, his first goal of the season.
• Patric Hornqvist would tie the game for the Predators once again at 12:40 on the power play, his 16th goal of the season. He was assisted by Ryan Suter and Martin Erat.
• Ottawa would end the second period with the lead 3-2 at 18:55 with a tip-in by Jason Spezza, giving him his second goal of the night and his 22nd overall.
• At 13:35, Chris Phillips would capitalize on his second goal of the night and his second overall with a wrist shot, sending the Senators up 4-2.
• Martin Erat would gain the remaining goal for the Predators at 19:50, his 13th goal of the season. He was alone in his goal.
•  Pekka Rinne made some amazing saves during this game, but let a few weak shots in the net. He was able to block 25 of 29 shots on goal.
• The Predators took plenty of penalties during the game with six, whereas the Senators took five. The Predators were able to use one of the power plays to their advantage, but the Senators were able to use two of Nashville’s. Here are the guys who took the unnecessary penalties:

1. Sergei Kostitsyn – 1:40 2nd Period – Holding
2. Nick Spaling – 3:28 2nd Period – Tripping
3. Francis Bouillon – 8:32 2nd Period – Hi-Sticking
4. Martin Erat – 18:49 2nd Period – Hooking
5. David Legwand – 11:55 3rd Period – Slashing
6. David Legwand – 14:22 3rd Period – Hooking

This was the second straight loss for the Predators since December 23rd against Dallas and December 26th against the Red Wings.  The Predators will continue in the Eastern Conference on Saturday as they take on the defending Stanley Cup champs, the Boston Bruins in Boston at a special noon start.

Until then,
GO PREDS.

(Photo credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)