Lalime stops 24 shots for second straight shutout

OTTAWA (AP) -- The Ottawa Senators know why they sit atop the NHL's Eastern Conference: goaltender Patrick Lalime.

"Lalime is the No. 1 reason we keep winning,'' Marian Hossa said after the all-star goalie stopped 24 shots in a 2-0 victory over Edmonton. "He played unbelievable. It's nice to be able to get two shutouts against a team like that.''

Lalime got his second successive shutout and seventh of the season, tying a career-high. He also tied Toronto's Ed Belfour and New Jersey's Martin Brodeur for the league lead.

"I'm trying to do the same job every game,'' said Lalime. "I saw the puck really well. The guys in front of the net did a good job clearing the puck. The players are ready to pay the price on our team.''

Hossa scored his team-leading 36th goal and Magnus Arvedson added his ninth.

The win, the Senators' first at home against Edmonton since 1992, enabled Ottawa to win the season series for the first time since 1993-94. Ottawa also shut out Edmonton 2-0 on Jan. 11.

"It's a frustrating loss for us, again being shut out by the same team twice,'' said Oilers coach Craig MacTavish. "We had a few chances tonight and Lalime was up to the task. Anytime we got through, he made the save.''

The Senators extended their undefeated streak to five games (4-0-1). Ottawa holds a three-point lead over New Jersey for first overall in the East.

The Oilers weren't making any excuses for the loss and will have to regroup Saturday night in Montreal, when they play the third of a five-game road trip.

"We've got some injuries, but we've just got to fight through it and play a simple game and get some chances,'' said Mike Comrie. "You've got to give them credit, they played a great defensive game.''

The Oilers were 0-for-5 on the power play; the Senators went 1-for-6.

"We did a really good job killing penalties and we scored on the power play. That's pretty good,'' said Arvedson. "This was a really good game. The toughness was like a playoff game.''

A supportive crowd of 18,115 was on hand for Ottawa's first home game since owner Rod Bryden and his principal creditors came to a conditional agreement on his repurchase of the Senators.

Neither team created any great chances in the first period and both goaltenders came up with big saves early in the second.

Tommy Salo, who faced 26 shots, robbed Daniel Alfredsson with a sprawling save. Minutes later, Lalime was equally impressive in making a glove stop on Jason Chimera.

Hossa solved Salo midway through the second period with a power-play goal, beating Salo with a one-timer through traffic. Arvedson scored his first goal in 10 games at 6:36 of the third. He took a pass off the sideboards and fired a shot from the blue line that beat Salo.

Center Jason Spezza, an emergency call-up for injured Radek Bonk, was held pointless, but felt good about his effort.

"I just tried to go out and play solid and it went well,'' said Spezza. "It was great to be a part of the victory.''

Game notes
Ottawa was without defenseman Curtis Leschyshyn for the third straight game because of a groin injury. ... Bonk was a game-day scratch due to a sore back. ... Peter Schaefer missed his second straight game due to a foot injury ...The Oilers were without winger Ryan Smyth, who is listed day-to-day with a shoulder injury. ... Oilers captain Jason Smith is expected to miss the next four to six weeks with a separated shoulder.