Kovalev returns tonight

The Senators will be without second-leading scorer Mike Fisher (upper body) for a second straight game Thursday but expect to get veteran forward Alex Kovalev back in the lineup.

Kovalev missed the last three games to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral in Russia.

Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue jackets will try to end a five-game road trip on a positive note and snap the Ottawa Senators’ four-game home win streak Thursday night.

Brian Elliott likely will make his third consecutive start and first against the Blue Jackets. Elliott, who stopped 18 of 20 shots Wednesday, has allowed three goals or fewer in five of his six starts this season.

The Blue Jackets pride themselves on team defense and goaltending. Those two facets of their of game have been absent lately, with a season high-tying three-game losing streak the result.

Despite ranking 21st in the league last season with 2.68 goals per game, the Blue Jackets (12-8-3) had a franchise-best 92 points and reached the playoffs for the first time due mainly to Steve Mason’s stellar goaltending and a defense that ranked among the NHL’s best.

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