Sens seek home victory over Hurricanes

The Ottawa Senators are still looking for their first home victory of the month. Cue a visit from the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Senators try to continue their recent dominance of the Hurricanes this evening at Scotiabank Place.

Despite a recent 3-0-1 stretch that came to an end on Friday with a loss to Pittsburgh, Ottawa sits last in the Northeast Division with 22 points. Carolina is also last in its division, posting 20 points to bring up the rear in the Southeast Division.

The Hurricanes outscored the Senators 15-4 over a three-game series win streak before the Senators notched a 3-2 shootout win at Carolina on Oct. 25. Ottawa has also won six of its last seven as the host against the 'Canes.

The Senators will look to rebound today after watching the Penguins erupt for four first-period goals in Friday's 6-3 contest. Craig Anderson was pulled after giving up four goals on eight shots, and Alex Auld surrendered two on 31 shots the rest of the way.

"Against any team in this league, you have to be ready at the start of the game," said Senators coach Paul MacLean. "I think the game was lost in the first five minutes."

Kaspars Daugavins, Jared Cowen and Erik Condra had goals for the Senators, who finished 3-2-1 on a six-game road trip. They will host the Hurricanes tonight looking to win for the first time in four games at Scotiabank Place in November.

It will be Ottawa's last chance at a home win this month as it goes right back out on the road for three in a row starting on Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Carolina hits the road after dropping Friday's 3-1 test to the visiting Jets, its second straight loss and ninth in 12 games. Jiri Tlusty had the goal and Cam Ward gave up two goals on 29 shots.

"They were throwing everything at the net, getting their point shots through," Hurricanes captain Eric Staal said. "Once we got it into the offensive zone and we were cycling it around, we did get some looks but we didn't do it consistently enough and ended up with a loss."

Carolina, which has lost six of its last seven on the road, played without Jay Harrison due to an upper-body injury and he is questionable for today.

Backup goaltender Brian Boucher will be available for this game after getting hit in the head by a puck in the second period on Friday. He did not return to the bench after the incident.