PREVIEW: Red Wings in Ottawa for big Atlantic Division battle on Monday

OTTAWA -- The Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators have formed an exciting rivalry in recent seasons. And with both clubs battling for a position in the race for an Eastern Conference Wild-Card spot, two pivotal points will be up for grabs at Canadian Tire Centre on Monday night.

“We’re kind of in the same spot where we’re at in the standings,” Lucas Raymond said. “I think both teams know what’s at stake. It’s a big game for us for sure, and for them as well. It’s going to be a lot of fun. These are the types of games that you want to play and are fun to play.”

Heading into Monday’s contest, the Red Wings (30-27-6; 66 points) trailed the Senators (32-25-5; 69 points) by three points for the East’s second Wild-Card spot. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m., with television broadcast coverage simulcast on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit and FOX 2 in Detroit. Radio coverage on the Red Wings Radio Network can be heard on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit.

“We need the win for a lot of reasons,” Detroit head coach Todd McLellan said. “One, to stabilize the group and make sure the confidence and belief level stay where it is. Two, obviously the standings are really, really important. Then, setting up the week ahead. We got some tough games coming, but we got to deal with the moment right now, work hard, play a smart, aggressive game and rely on each other.”

The Red Wings believe getting back to that type of game will help them end their losing streak, which reached five straight contests after Friday’s 5-2 road loss to the Washington Capitals. Detroit jumped on Washington early, taking a 2-0 lead seven minutes into the first period, but couldn’t recover after allowing four third-period goals.

“We know what we’re capable of in this room,” Raymond said. “We did it for two periods against Washington and obviously that third is far from the team we want to be.”

Following Monday’s optional morning skate at Canadian Tire Centre, McLellan announced that goaltender Cam Talbot will get the nod against the Senators.

“Mrazek will back up,” McLellan said. “Then going forward, we’ll have a plan to lay out the rest of the games. We’d like Petr to get a little more time in the net. He’s been sharing it in Chicago. After practice yesterday, there was discussion made that we’ll go with [Talbot] today and move forward from there.”

Ranked fourth in the Atlantic Division, Ottawa rallied for a 4-3 overtime win over the New York Rangers on Saturday.

Tim Stuzle is currently riding a 14-game point streak and paces the Senators in assists (45) and points (65) this season. Captain Brady Tkachuk, who is on a five-game goal streak, has 49 points (26 goals, 23 assists), which is tied with Drake Batherson (16 goals, 33 assists) for the second-most on the team.

Dylan Cozens, who was acquired via trade with the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, recorded a helper in his Senators debut on Saturday.

In net for Ottawa, goaltender Linus Ullmark has posted a 15-11-3 record, 2.73 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and three shutouts this season.

“They’re checking well,” McLellan said about the Senators. “They’ve got, in my opinion, a little more of a commitment to the defending part, which means they’re a little more mature. The goaltending changes have made a significant difference in their team. Their power play has always been dangerous, so they’re a real good hockey club right now. Good hockey clubs are finding ways to win. That’s what we want to be, and can be, but we’re on the short end of it right now.”