In Ottawa, Vladislav Namestnikov and Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored four seconds apart in the first period to give the Senators a 3-0 lead as Ottawa defeated the visiting Carolina Hurricanes, 4-1 on Saturday night.
“We weren’t ready to play, to a man. The first period was a joke,” Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said. “We gave them three goals and that was it.”
Filip Chlapik has staked the Sens to an early 1-0 lead before the two rapid hits.
“I think that we just showed that we can beat the top teams in the League,” Chlapik said. “Obviously, it builds confidence. Everyone’s hungry, everyone wants to win, everyone wants to play, and it’s really fun right now.”
Anders Nilsson made 38 saves in the win.
“I thought he (Colin White) skated the best he’s skated all year. I thought he carried the puck more than he has. He really helped us, it helps our team speed,” Senators head coach D.J. Smith said of White’s first game back from injury.
The Canes’ Andrei Svechnikov‘s goal made it 3-1 Senators.
“It’s soul-searching time for our group,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We’re better than what we’re showing right now, for sure, but tonight, that was not acceptable.”
Brady Tkachuk added a goal for the final score.
“A young guy can’t be the best player on the team,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s another problem. And I know we’re young. Generally, we’ve got a lot of young guys. But the guys that have been around, they can lead the way a little better for our group.”
[WATCH: All Hurricanes vs. Senators highlights]
James Reimer made 26 saves in the loss.
“We think we’re better than we are right now, and we think we can go out and just win games,” Jordan Staal said. “It’s the NHL, we’ve got to be ready to go every game and we’re not right now. We’re leaving our goalies out to dry. We’re just not good enough and it’s got to turn around soon or it’s going to be a long season.”
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