WRAL Sports Fan

Hurricanes

Canes blank Senators, 1-0

By Mike Maniscalco

Feb 1, 2013

Raleigh, N.C. — FINAL: Canes 1, Ottawa 0

Dan Ellis made 33 saves and Eric Staal scored the lone goal as the Carolina Hurricanes shutout the Ottawa Senators Friday, 1-0.

End of 2: Canes 1, Ottawa 0

Both teams' power play units had their chances in the second period but both goalies were up to the task as the game remains 1-0 in favor of the  Canes after 2.

Ottawa out-shot the Hurricanes 13-9 in the second period. It marks just the third time in 17 periods this season that the Canes have been outshot.

End of 1: Canes 1, Ottawa 0

Alexander Semin made an impact on defense and offense for 20 minutes and got credit for an assist on Eric Staal's goal as the Canes lead the Senators 1-0 after 1.

Dan Ellis stopped 12 Ottawa shots to help keep the game scoreless.

Staal's goal was his fifth to tie him with Jeff Skinner for the team lead.

20:00 1st: Canes vs. Ottawa

As expected Dan Ellis will get his first home start in net for the Canes going against Craig Anderson.

The scratches for Carolina are Bobby Sanguinetti and Kevin Westgarth.

Pregame

The Carolina Hurricanes attempt to even their record Friday night against the Eastern Conference leading Ottawa Senators at the PNC Arena following a three-day hiatus from game action.

Carolina has not played since Monday, a 5-3 loss to Boston. The extended rest is an anomaly during the compacted NHL season following a 113-day lockout. The Senators, meanwhile, are coming off a 5-1 dismantling of the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday and have been the surprise of the NHL in the early going. More Info     Carolina Hurricanes schedule

Dan Ellis will make his Triangle debut and second start in goal Friday for the Hurricanes. In his previous start this year against Buffalo, Ellis was sparkling as he made 40 saves in a 3-1 Carolina victory. Ottawa netminder Craig Anderson has been brilliant this year, posting five wins along with a goals-against-average of 0.99. In eight career starts against Carolina, Anderson is 4-1-3.

The Canes might catch a bit of a break Friday as it was announced that Ottawa center Jason Spezza will require back surgery and is expected to miss two months of the season. Kyle Turris will be called on to pick up the slack taking Spezza’s place centering a line of Milan Michalek and Daniel Alfredsson. The third overall pick of the 2007 draft was acquired last year in a trade with Phoenix. This year he has paid big dividends with four goals and three assists in seven games.

The Canes are trying to get off to a quick start for the first time this season. The team has only scored one first period goal in five games and has only scored first in one of those contests. More Info     Meet the 2013 Hurricanes

The Hurricanes offense has picked up the pace after a sluggish start thanks in large part to leaders Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal. The duo has accounted for nine of the teams 14 goals and has twice scored within a minute of each other this year. Jordan Staal might still be looking for his first goal of the year, but the big center has also made a difference on offense with five assists to lead the team.

Carolina also welcomes defenseman Justin Faulk back to the line-up after missing Monday’s contest with an “upper body” concern. The blue-liner returned to full contact practice Thursday. He is likely to return and play alongside Tim Gleason as well as seeing time on the second power play unit. Andreas Nodl should also be dressed for his first game this season with the Hurricanes after being recalled from Charlotte on Wednesday.

Special teams is expected to play a huge role Friday as head coach Kirk Muller tries to get his team’s power play on track. Carolina is 25th in the league with just three man-advantage goals in 26 tries. Meanwhile, Ottawa makes a living on the power play with the sixth best unit. The Senators have notched seven goals in 24 man-up situations. Ottawa is also good on the penalty kill at fourth overall in the league. Carolina is 26th on the PK, only successfully killing off a penalty 73.1 percent of the time. More Info     More Hurricanes Stories

Carolina is 2-1-0 against the Northeast division so far, both wins coming against Buffalo. Ottawa will be playing its sixth game of the season against the Southeast, posting a 4-1-0 record. Their lone regulation loss came against Tampa Bay.

The Hurricanes have played the fewest games in the Eastern Conference (5) and currently stand tied for 12th with four points. Friday night marks the last time the team will be at home for a while. Carolina embarks on a 12-day, six-game road trip starting Saturday in Philadelphia.

 

• Web Editor: Aaron Schoonmaker