Tom Szczerbowski – USA TODAY Sports

The Ottawa Senators have done a pretty consistent job of alternating starts between goaltenders Ben Bishop and Robin Lehner while Craig Anderson is sidelined, and will stay true to that pattern tonight as the y will turn to Bishop to face the Montreal Canadiens. Lehner has started the past two games and has a win and a shootout loss while allowing just four total goals. Bishop will look to get back on track after losing a 5-4 decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs in his last start and taking a tough 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in his last start prior to that. He got a shootout win over the Canadiens on Feb. 25, the only time this season he has faced the Senators’ division rival.

The Senators have an overall 2-1 record against the Canadiens this season, and are one of just four teams this season to hand the Habs a regulation loss. Bishop will be staring at Carey Price between the pipes at the other end of the ice. Price has a 13-4-3 record this season with a 2.37 goals against average. A penalty kill that ranks second in the league has been a big boost for the Senators, and is a major factor in the team having the best goals against mark in the entire league. A Montreal team that is fourth in the league in goals per game will be a tough test for the team, and Bishop tonight.

With the way the Canadiens and Boston Bruins have been playing, the Senators probably aren’t getting into the playoffs as the division winner. If they want to keep postseason hopes alive while Anderson is out, each win is crucial and Bishop and Lehner both need to come up big.

Jonathan Katje is an NHL blogger for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JKatje or add him to you network on Google.