Sens extend home unbeaten streak to eight games

OTTAWA (AP) -- Mike Fisher and the Ottawa Senators are still finding new ways to win at home.


Fisher deflected Martin Havlat's shot past New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur at 3:10 of overtime to give the Senators a 4-3 win over the Devils on Saturday night. The victory extended Ottawa's home win streak to a club-record eight games.

But after surging to a 2-0 lead, the Senators had to rally to force overtime, and kill off a two-minute New Jersey power play before Fisher scored.

"It was a fun game to be part of,'' Fisher said. "We started really well and then we kind of let down.''

Ottawa has lost just once in 16 games (12-1-3).

"That's character right there,'' Ottawa goalie Patrick Lalime said. "Leading 2-0, then going down 3-2 ... it shows a lot about this team.

"We tied it up then had a big penalty kill with two minutes left.''

Todd White, Shaun Van Allen and Havlat also scored for Ottawa.

Jamie Langenbrunner, Sergei Brylin and Christian Berglund scored for New Jersey.

White extended his points streak to five games when he redirected Karel Rachunek's shot past Brodeur just 4:36 into the first. It was White's ninth goal of the season and it came on during a power play.

"We have to play stronger and have a bit more intensity,'' Brodeur said.

Added Devils coach Pat Burns: "It was a good game. The third period was a toss up. The best scoring opportunity finished the game.'' Van Allen capped a pretty passing play involving Jody Hull and Havlat with 2:46 left in the period.

Langenbrunner countered with his eighth goal of the season, scored midway through the second period after Lalime had made two saves.

Brylin tied it 2-2 at 14:10, taking a feed from Patrik Elias.

Senators forward Magnus Arvedson was hit on the inside of his left knee by Rachunek's slap shot 5:11 into the third and didn't return. He left the arena on crutches with a bruised knee and is day-to-day.

Berglund and Havlat traded goals 27 seconds apart shortly after Arvedson's exit.

Ottawa outshot New Jersey 29-28.

"We're really not a team that scores goals,'' New Jersey's John Madden said. "We get two a game. Giving up four a game, you're going to lose. It was only a matter of time until it caught up to us.''

Game notes
Ottawa RW Brad Smyth was returned to Binghamton of the AHL. ... New Jersey's scratches were RW Brian Gionta (ankle) and Brian Rafalski (ribs). Senators D Chris Phillips (knee) and Petr Schastlivy (groin) also sat out. ... Ottawa plays at New Jersey on Wednesday.