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(Sports Network) - An important battle in the Eastern Conference playoff race is on tap tonight in Montreal as the surging Canadiens host the sliding Ottawa Senators at Bell Centre.

Ottawa, the Canadiens and Philadelphia come into this evening's clash locked in a three-way tie for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. The clubs are just three points ahead of Boston for the eighth and final playoff slot.

Montreal has played itself into its current position thanks to a 7-1-1 record in March, while the Sens have fallen down the East ladder after posting just one win (1-7-1) this month.

The Senators have lost their last five games in regulation, but hope to get back on track against a team they've had success against this year. Ottawa has won four out of five in the season series with Montreal and has taken six of seven from the Habs dating back to last year.

Ottawa has also won three straight in Montreal and has six victories in its last 10 trips to Bell Centre.

Montreal had its longest winning streak of the season -- a six-game tear -- snapped Saturday in Toronto, but the Habs were still able to pick up a point in the loss. John Mitchell scored the winner in the third round of the shootout, lifting the Maple Leafs to the 3-2 decision over their bitter rivals.

In the third round, Mitchell slammed on the brakes in front of the net and hammered the puck into the net. Jonas Gustavsson then made a body save on Brian Gionta's wrister to seal the win.

Gionta scored both goals for Montreal while Jaroslav Halak made 31 stops in the loss.

"We got one point, but there are some things we have to improve on," said Halak. "We need every point we can get, but we'd rather have gotten two tonight."

The Canadiens are closing March by playing four out of five on home ice. Montreal is 18-13-4 as the host this year and has won three straight in Quebec.

Meanwhile, Ottawa was dealt its fifth straight loss on Saturday despite getting three goals from Jason Spezza. Trevor Daley notched the game-winner early in the third period as Dallas overcame the hat trick to post a 5-4 home win at American Airlines Center.

Spezza recorded his first hat trick of the season and added an assist for the Senators. Mike Fisher posted a goal and one assist while Daniel Alfredsson added two helpers.

Pascal Leclaire was pulled early in the third period after allowing five goals on 19 shots. Brian Elliott finished the game with six saves.

"You can't give up five goals on 19 shots," Sens head coach Clouston said of his goaltender. "You're going to give up chances, that's just the name of the game. It's very, very tough just to get momentum back."

Forward Milan Michalek, who is tied with Fisher for the team lead in goals with 22, missed Saturday's game with a leg injury and is not expected to skate in tonight's test.

The Senators have lost four straight and five of their last six away games and are capping a three-game road trip this evening. Ottawa is just 14-20-1 as the visiting team this season.