Ottawa right wing Martin Havlat left the game in the third period with a groin injury. He will miss the NHL's YoungStars Game on Friday night in Los Angeles, with Senators center Mike Fisher taking his spot in the exhibition game. "For sure, I'm disappointed because I was excited about going," Havlat said. "It's just hard luck. I'll have to try again next year."

Sens' Fisher to replace Havlat

LOS ANGELES (CP) -- Ottawa Senators centre Mike Fisher will replace injured teammate Martin Havlat in Friday's NHL YoungStars game in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, a bruised hip will keep Colorado Avalanche forward Alex Tanguay from playing in the game. The NHL said Thursday that Tanguay will not be replaced on the YoungStars roster.

Havlat suffered a groin injury in the Senators' 3-1 win over the Flyers on Wednesday. He is listed as day-to-day.

Tanguay, who has missed 10 games this season because of sinus and ankle problems, sustained his latest injury at Tuesday's practice. Coach Bob Hartley expects him to be back for Monday's home game against Detroit.

Fisher, a 21-year-old native of Peterborough, Ont., has 14 goals and eight assists in 53 games this season for the Senators.

Havlat holding hot hand

By DON BRENNAN -- Ottawa Sun

All Senators except one are in something of a scoring slump right now. But that one has been hot enough for the rest.

Marty Havlat scored all three of his team's goals during its successful two-game road trip to Detroit and Philadelphia. He scored twice in the precious point-gaining, 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Wings and had the lone goal in the 1-1 draw against the Flyers. He also scored once the night before the trip, giving him a three-game goal-scoring streak.

With 32 games remaining in the regular season, Havlat is the second Senator to reach the 20-goal mark, which is one more than he had in his brilliant rookie season in 2000-01.

"I consider it a better season than last year," Havlat said yesterday. "One more goal, so it's better."

Before his recent streak, Havlat had only one goal in 15 games.

"It's an up-and-down season," he said.

Coach Jacques Martin is restricting Havlat's minutes until he becomes a more complete player, but he likes how the 20-year-old has been working.

Martin also points to Havlat's latest goal as an example of what can happen when you throw the puck toward the net. Havlat's equalizer against the Flyers came after he made a nifty move inside the blue line and slid a harmless-looking backhander on goal. The rebound went in off Philly defenceman Kim Johnsson.

Havlat acknowledged Lady Luck has been on his side, "but after the season nobody will ask how many you scored were nice goals. They will just ask how many you scored."

Havlat said he's playing with confidence and his defensive play is better, but admits he must continue working hard to improve the latter.

SEN DELIVERING

Still, at the end of the day, Havlat is counted on to provide firepower, and he's not letting anyone down.

"I'm just trying to do my best every night, I'm trying to score every night," said Havlat, who claims he never set a target for himself this season. "I don't know how many I will have at the end.

'`The goals are with the team, not personal. The team is the most important thing."

Havlat looks to regain confidence with Sens
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun

ATLANTA -- Asked what's been missing from his game, winger Martin Havlat was quick to come up with an answer.

"Confidence," said the Senators winger. "You've got to have confidence if you're going to play this game and right now I don't have as much as I should. To have confidence you need to have success."

In the hours before last night's game against the Atlanta Thrashers, the 20-year-old Havlat sat in his locker stall talking about a sophomore season which has had its share of ups and downs. Lately, it's been the latter.

Havlat, who snapped out of his 10-game scoring slump with a first-period goal last night, has been selected for the Czech Olympic team and he wants to travel to Salt Lake City with the Senators on a high before he goes digging for gold for his country.

"I'm not really thinking about the Olympics right now because we've got a lot of games to play here," said Havlat. "I want to play well for this team because that's what is important and that's what I have to focus on right now.

"The most important thing for me is to help this team win. Lately, there's been a lot of downs and I'd like to get up by helping this team score."

Havlat has played most of this season with Mike Fisher and different players on the right side. Havlat does see time on the power play with Radek Bonk and Marian Hossa, but coach Jacques Martin likes him with Fisher.

It's tough to say Havlat is in a sophomore slump. After last night's game, he has 16 goals and 18 assists in 43 games. Those are decent numbers, but those who have watched him say he isn't the same.

Even Havlat is willing to admit he hasn't been happy with the way he's been playing. He doesn't believe he has to be a physical player, but he's got to win the battles for the puck along the boards.

"I have a tough time if I'm not using my feet," said Havlat. "It's important for me to use my feet if I'm going to have success. You're not going to help yourself if you're not skating out there because you're not moving.

"The one thing you want to have is chances to score and lately I haven't even had the chances. I have to look at myself. You're going to have ups and downs. The thing I want to be is more consistent."

NO DEAL FOR THE SHARKS: The hot rumour yesterday had New Jersey C Jason Arnott headed to San Jose for C Patrick Marleau and prospect D Jeff Jillson. There was also talk C Bobby Holik and C Scott Gomez could be involved in the discussions. The Devils would like to do something to shake their team up, but they won't be doing a deal with San Jose in the foreseeable future. "I can tell you there's nothing to it," said Sharks director of player development Doug Wilson during a break in the club's scouting meetings yesterday. "I don't know where this is coming from, but we've had no conversations with the Devils." It's expected New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello will make another pitch to the Tampa Bay Lightning for C Vincent Lecavalier.

PLENTY OF CANDIDATES: The names are coming out fast and furious for the GM's post in Ottawa which hasn't even become vacant yet. Agent Mike Liut, a former NHL goalie and a partner in Washington-based Octagon Management, has already surfaced as a possibility should GM Marshall Johnston decide to retire at the end of the season. Don't rule out Johnston returning because there's a contract on the table from owner Rod Bryden if Johnston wants to come back. The list of candidates also includes former Phoenix GM Bobby Smith, Ottawa player personnel director Jarmo Kekalainen and Senators director of legal affairs Peter Chiarelli. It should be noted the Senators have never hired a GM who was in the post in the past.