After a dreadful start to the season, the Ottawa Senators will aim for a third straight victory tonight when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center.
The Senators were 1-5-0 to start the season and had lost three in a row before posting their second win of the year Thursday against Winnipeg. Ottawa followed that victory with Saturday's thrilling comeback win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.
Milan Michalek scored the game-winning goal with five seconds remaining in the third period, lifting the Senators to the 4-3 triumph. Columbus, which is winless on the season, led 3-2 heading into the final minute of play before Jason Spezza tied the game with 36 seconds left. Michalek's game-winning power-play goal came just 31 seconds later on a deflection of a Sergei Gonchar slap shot.
Filip Kuba and Zack Smith also scored for the Senators, who got 18 saves from Craig Anderson.
"It's a great feeling obviously," said Gonchar. "Not only us but everybody in the building I'm sure is feeling the same way. It was a great game."
The Sens will aim to win their third straight game without their captain, as veteran winger Daniel Alfredsson will miss tonight's game with a hip injury. The club has recalled Kaspars Daugavins from Binghamton of the AHL to take his spot on the roster.
The 38-year-old Alfredsson, who has three goals and two assists in eight games this year, could be back for Ottawa's next game this Thursday against visiting Florida. Forward Peter Regin is questionable for tonight after missing Saturday's game against Columbus.
Ottawa has yet to record a win on the road this year, going 0-3-0 as the visitor.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, will be trying to avoid a third straight loss tonight. Carolina began a five-game road trip on a three-game winning streak before dropping its most recent tests in St. Louis and Winnipeg.
The 'Canes lost a 5-3 decision in Winnipeg on Saturday, as Kyle Wellwood had a goal and an assist for the Jets.
Jeff Skinner had a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, while Brian Boucher gave up all five goals on 24 shots. No. 1 goaltender Cam Ward is expected to be back between the pipes for Carolina tonight.
Carolina centerman Zac Dalpe is questionable for tonight's game after missing the last three tilts with a lower-body injury.
The Hurricanes won the final three of their four meetings with Ottawa last season and Carolina has taken five of seven overall in this series. The Senators have also lost seven straight in Raleigh and last won in North Carolina on Dec. 12, 2007.
This is Carolina's third home game of the year after posting a 1-1-0 mark in the first two tests at RBC.
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