WRAL Sports Fan

Carolina Hurricanes (4-4-0) at Ottawa Senators (6-3-1), 7:30 p.m.

(Sports Network) - The Ottawa Senators hope to have a better offensive effort against the Carolina Hurricanes after failing to score against the them in a meeting last week.

The Senators will aim for a bit of revenge for that 1-0 loss at Carolina when they host the Hurricanes in Thursday's game at Scotiabank Place.

Carolina posted the win over Ottawa on Friday as Dan Ellis turned aside 33 shots for the 13th shutout of his career. Eric Staal scored the game's only goal and the Hurricanes earned their ninth victory in the last 10 home meetings against the Sens.

All told, the 'Canes have claimed three straight and six of the last eight encounters with Ottawa. Carolina also has taken two of the last three in Canada's capital city, but the Senators still have eight victories in the previous 11 matchups at Scotiabank Place.

Ottawa's recent loss to Carolina was the first of two straight setbacks, but the Sens avoided a third consecutive defeat when they beat the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

Chris Neil's second-period goal proved to be the difference, as Ottawa held off the Sabres, 4-3. Erik Karlsson, Chris Phillips and Daniel Alfredsson each scored once, while Peter Regin added a pair of assists for the Senators. Craig Anderson saved 20 shots in the triumph.

"Our guys were doing whatever it takes," Anderson said of the victory. "Everyone did their little part to help the team win, and we were all pulling on that rope in the same direction."

Tuesday's contest marked the start of a four-game homestand for Ottawa, which has yet to suffer a regulation loss in five outings (4-0-1) this season at Scotiabank Place.

Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar is probable for Thursday's game after missing the previous two tilts with a bout of the flu. Forward Guillaume Latendresse, meanwhile, has sat out the last three games with whiplash and is questionable against Carolina.

Although Carolina followed its win last week over Ottawa with a loss in Philadelphia, the Hurricanes were able to rebound with Monday's 4-1 victory in Toronto. Jordan Staal and Patrick Dwyer each recorded a goal and an assist, while Cam Ward stopped 41 shots to lift the Hurricanes to the triumph at Air Canada Centre.

Staal, who was acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh at last year's draft, scored his first goal in a Hurricanes' sweater, beating James Reimer with a backhander from in close.

"It was nice to get that first one out of the way to get us all going," said Staal. "Hopefully there will be many more after that."

Eric Staal, older brother of Jordan, and Justin Faulk also tallied, while Jeff Skinner posted three assists for the Hurricanes, who have won four of their last six.

Carolina is in the midst of its longest road trip of the season and is playing the third test of the six-game swing on Thursday. The Hurricanes are 2-2-0 on the road this season.