Music: {allcanada} Senators continue playoff push with shootout win

Monday, March 31, 2014

{allcanada} Senators continue playoff push with shootout win

OTTAWA -- Ales Hemsky scored in the shootout to give the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes at Canadian Tire Centre on Monday night.

Hemsky snapped a shot past Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward on Ottawa's second attempt.

Senators goaltender Craig Anderson stopped all three Carolina shooters after making 30 saves through regulation and overtime.

Mika Zibanejad scored in the first for Ottawa, which has points in five straight games (3-0-1) since a 2-8-2 skid nearly dropped it out of the Stanley Cup Playoff picture.

The Senators, who have seven games remaining, are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 78 points, four out of a playoff spot.

Jeff Skinner scored his 30th goal for Carolina, which is 13th in the Eastern Conference with 75 points. Ward made 28 saves in his first start in four games.

There were two minutes of 3-on-3 in overtime after Senators defenseman Eric Gryba and Carolina's Nathan Gerbe were sent off for roughing at 2:49.

Zibanejad got credit for his 14th goal at 1:41 of the first period. Hemsky created the scoring chance when he dragged the puck through his legs to fly past Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk, only to have his shot stopped by Ward.

Hemsky recovered the puck in the left corner and passed back to the point to defenseman Patrick Wiercioch, whose shot went in off Zibanejad's skate. A video review upheld the goal.

Ward stopped Clarke MacArthur moments later when he was sent in on a breakaway by Kyle Turris, who was named the NHL's First Star of the Week on Monday.

Skinner drew Carolina even at 1-1 at 4:03. Skinner extended his goals streak to four games and his point streak to five when his passout front from behind the net went in off Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson.

The Hurricanes came close to taking the lead a few minutes later when Alexander Semin drove a slap shot off the post from the right side.

Senators captain Jason Spezza and defenseman Jared Cowen missed the game after both sustained lower-body injuries Sunday during a 6-3 win against the Calgary Flames.

Zibanejad took Spezza's place at center between Hemsky and left wing Milan Michalek. Center Jean-Gabriel Pageau dressed for the Senators, who recalled him from Binghamton of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis Monday.

Hurricanes forward Jiri Tlusty left the game late in the second after he was checked into the end boards by Ottawa's Eric Gryba, who was penalized for boarding at 18:10. Tlusty did not return for the third period.

Carolina was two men down for most of the third when center Andrei Loktionov went to the dressing room after he was tripped up in the right corner by Zack Smith at the end of a long shift. Loktionov, who did not return, was checked by Senators right wing Chris Neil earlier in the shift.

Ottawa left wing Colin Greening missed his second game in a row because of a lower-body injury.

Get Paid To Work From Home