THE STORY: Well, it’s official: The streaky Sens are back. Both general manager Bryan Murray and coach Cory Clouston said prior to the start of the season that they were hoping for a little more consistency from their group this year. As long as the Senators’ winning streaks are consistently longer than their losing streaks, I’m sure they can live with a few ups and downs. Ottawa has picked up five victories in its last six games to climb back into a virtual tie for fifth in the Eastern Conference. The fact they’re tied with four other teams (including tonight’s opponent — Atlanta), illustrates just how close they are to falling back again. If they’re to make the playoffs, it’ll likely be at the Thrashers’ expense.

THE SUBPLOTS: It’s almost time to see what this Senators team can do with a full lineup. Winger Milan Michalek, who was developing some nice chemistry with Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher before suffering a bout of tendinitis in his knee, returns to the lineup against the Thrashers, while key defenceman Filip Kuba could return from a broken leg as early as Thursday.

THE WILDCARD: Chris Mason or Ondrej Pavelec. It seems like the Senators are constantly carpet bombing Thrashers goalies, only to pick up loss after loss. On Halloween night a year ago, Pavelec waltzed into Scotiabank and turned aside 50 shots to lift his team to a 3-1 victory. The way Ottawa is clicking right now, he just might have to do it again. Same goes for Mason if he gets the nod.

THE OPPONENT: Is it possible that the Atlanta Thrashers are a better team without perennial 30-40 goal scorer Ilya Kovalchuk? Just ask the New Jersey Devils. While they’re dead last in the NHL after the splashy in-season trade and controversial summer signing, the Thrashers are rolling right along. Exciting youngster Niclas Bergfors has actually outscored Kovalchuk so far this season (nine points to eight) after coming over from New Jersey, which also shipped solid defenceman Johnny Oduya, a first rounder and a prospect to Georgia in the Kovalchuk deal. Yep, Atlanta probably thinks that deal worked out just peachy.

THE QUOTE: “Every opportunity you get out there, you just want to take advantage of it. Pascal got hurt. It’s not like I got a chance and ran with it. We’ve been playing better as a team. From the start of the year until now, it’s almost a totally different look that we have, a whole different confidence and swagger. I think being in net, you get positive results when the team is playing like that. But being a goalie, it’s all, ‘What have you done for me lately?’” — Brian Elliott, chatting about his current hot streak.

THE SICK BAY: Senators — D Filip Kuba (broken leg, day-to-day), LW Milan Michalek (knee, probable). Thrashers — C Patrice Cormier (broken foot, indefinite), C/W Bryan Little (concussion, indefinite), D Freddy Meyer (undisclosed, day-to-day).

THE PREDICTION: It’s hard to pick against the Senators right now. This season seems to be shaping up a lot like the last one — feast or famine — and right now this team is chowing down on everything in its path. A bad bounce here or there could turn everything around, but until that happens, I’m going to have to go with the capital crew. Senators 4, Thrashers 3.