(Sports Network) – The Ottawa Senators conclude their five-game road swing this evening with a stop in the Big Apple for a date with Rick Nash and the New York Rangers.

Catch all the action live on TSN and TSN Mobile TV at 7pm et/4pm pt.

The Rangers haven’t had any recent success at home versus the Senators, who have won their last five trips to Madison Square Garden and haven’t lost there since Oct. 3, 2009. They have won three straight and five of their last six overall versus the Blueshirts, including a 3-2 shootout win at home on Feb. 21.

That victory was part of a five-game road trip for the Senators, but they have gone 0-2-2 since, with all four losses coming on the road. They conclude their five-game swing with this game and now sit at just 3-7-2 as the guest this season.

Ottawa found itself down 3-0 early against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday and couldn’t rally despite scoring three goals in the third period, dropping a 5-4 decision.

Daniel Alfredsson scored with 7:52 to play and Colin Greening made it a one- goal game with less than two minutes to go. Zack Smith added a goal and an assist, while Mika Zibanejad also lit the lamp.

“We played good at the end there, but the hole we had dug ourselves was too deep,” said Alfredsson. “They were getting a lot of pressure on us early and by the time we figured it out we were down by three goals.”

Ben Bishop gave up all five goals on 28 shots in the loss as No. 1 netminder Craig Anderson remains out with a sprained right ankle that was sustained versus the Rangers.

Robin Lehner will get the start for the Sens tonight, his third of the season and 13th of his career. He has given up four goals on 81 shots in a pair of post-regulation losses this season.

For the Rangers, Nash looks to extend his goal-scoring streak and help New York win a fifth straight game.

New York dropped a season-worst four straight (0-3-1) from Feb. 19-26, with Nash missing all four of those games due to injury. The 28-year-old forward has been on fire since his return, scoring in all four games with five goals in that span.

Not surprisingly, the Rangers have won all four to post their longest winning streak of the season and Nash was clutch again on Thursday night against the New York Islanders.

The big winger scored a game-tying goal with 5:23 left in regulation and then assisted on Marian Gaborik‘s power-play goal 42 seconds into overtime for a 2-1 win. Nash now has 13 points in the past eight games he has played in and the first-year Ranger leads New York with 20 points.

Even more impressive is that all eight of Nash’s goals this season have come in the third period.

“The great part about Nash right now is his third periods are his best period. That’s a good sign for conditioning. He’s been a huge part to our club here. As advertised, he’s been a game-breaker for us here. Hopefully it will continue,” said Rangers coach John Tortorella.

“I think he has a mindset that he respects the responsibility. He doesn’t say crap, doesn’t speak, he just goes out and plays.”

Nash set up Gaborik’s first goal in nine games, while Derek Stepan added two assists and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 27-of-28 shots faced.

Roman Hamrlik made his Rangers debut after being claimed off waivers from the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. He replaced Marc Staal, who is out indefinitely after being struck in the right eye by a puck in Tuesday’s win over Philadelphia. Brad Richards also missed his second straight game due to a sore neck and back stemming from an illegal hit by Buffalo’s Patrick Kaleta on Sunday.

However, the Rangers still won for just the third time in eight road games this season and are looking to win five straight for the first time since Dec. 30-Jan. 10 of last season. They are 9-4-1 at home in 2013.

New York will try for the same discipline tonight as it finishes off its third set of back-to-back games this season and first since Jan. 23-24. The Rangers have lost the second game in both of those back-to-back sets.

By Zachary Finkelstein / MLB.com | 3/7/2013 9:56 P.M. ET

The owner of 424 saves — fourth-most of all time — John Franco was one of baseball’s best closers for much of a 21-year career that spanned parts of three decades (1984 to 2005). A member of the Mets in 14 of those campaigns, the left-hander appeared in more regular-season games (1,119) than all but two hurlers in history.

On Wednesday, for the first time, Franco toured the MLB Fan Cave as part of his pitch to promote the MLB All-Star FanFest and Taco Bell All-Star Sunday, two slices of the sport’s All-Star summer pie.

“Growing up in New York City as a kid, seeing all the All-Star Games all over the country, now [with the festivities] being here at Citi Field this July, with a chance to participate in it and have some fun … It’s a thrill to be a part of,” Franco said.

FanFest tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m. ET online at MLB.com and mets.com, at the Citi Field Box Office or by calling 888-326-3378.

An interactive theme park for fans of all ages, FanFest will transform Manhattan’s Javits Center into a celebration that captures the thrills and excitement of Major League Baseball. Visitors will be able to enjoy exhibits from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, batting cages, free autograph sessions with former Mets and Major League legends, and memorabilia. The extravaganza will run from July 12-16, when baseball’s best are set to converge on New York City for the 84th Midsummer Classic.

Franco will be there, looking to mingle with those who have bled blue and orange throughout the years.

“I’ll be doing various functions that they have lined up for me,” he said. “I’ll be going to the Javits Center, probably doing some clinics, signing some autographs.”

On Taco Bell All-Star Sunday, Franco will suit up alongside former big leaguers and beacons of the entertainment industry for the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. Prior to playing, he will watch the sport’s stars of tomorrow during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

A four-time All-Star, Franco has not forgotten how it feels to be recognized as one of the sport’s superlative performers.

“The first time, it’s a thrill being selected by your peers and other coaches and managers in the National League,” he said. “It’s just a thrill to be there when you are amongst the best players in the game at that particular time or season, to be part of something you’ll never forget. You always dream as a kid of making an All-Star team. It’s a pretty big achievement.”

During his Fan Cave tour, Franco helped shoot a pair of promotional videos created to encourage interest in both FanFest and All-Star Sunday.

Before departing he sat down to chat with fans on Facebook. Answering frankly, he revealed the current relievers with whom he is most impressed (closers Craig Kimbrel and Mariano Rivera) and the hitters who caused him the most trouble — Tony Gwynn (18-for-52, .346) and Mariano Duncan (10-for-20, .500).

He also indicated a desire to coach at the big league level one day. His unofficial résumé includes a line about his time with the travel team of his son, J.J., whom the Mets drafted out of high school in the 42nd round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

J.J. now plays second base for Brown University, and Franco is relishing his job as a full-time father.

“I travel around the country watching him play,” he said. “I enjoy it. Time goes fast; I can remember him starting as a freshman in college, and now he’s in his junior year. I just enjoy my time being away with my family and watching my son play ball.

A beloved member of the Mets family and the franchise’s Hall of Fame as well, Franco expects that he will have a full plate of duties come All-Star time.

“I am sure there are going to be quite a bit of opportunities,” he said. “Obviously, going around, probably doing [baseball] clinics, various speaking engagements, autograph sessions. I should have a lot of fun doing it.”

The United States opens World Baseball Classic play on Friday night against Mexico, which suddenly finds intself in a critical situation after being stunned by Italy. More »