Ottawa at Minnesota

Ottawa recently won six in a row, but then lost its next two games against Edmonton and Winnipeg. Minnesota had a four-game losing streak before winning its past two against Chicago and Dallas. Leevi Merilainen is expected to start for the Senators after being recalled from the AHL on Friday. He is 1-1-0 and has allowed six goals on 39 shots in limited NHL action. He stopped 12 of 14 shots in relief of Linus Ullmark against Edmonton last Sunday. Ottawa has won five of seven against Western Conference opponents. The Wild have averaged just 1.83 goals their past six games. Take the Senators.