The Ottawa Senators suffered a brutal 5-4 overtime loss on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers at home. At one point in the game, the Senators led 4-2 past halfway through the third period, but the Senators fell down the stretch.
As the team may have lost momentum heading into tonight's game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Senators do have momentum from their last road trip with winning their past two road games, but will be challenged facing the Hurricanes.
Senators head back on the road to Raleigh to face Hurricanes
The Senators travel to Lenovo Center to face the Carolina Hurricanes with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Last season against the Hurricanes, the Senators were swept in the three-game series. In the three games between the two teams, the Hurricanes outscored the Senators 16-6.
Thursday night at home against the Flyers saw a bad third period collapse. After Adam Gaudette scored to make give the Senators a 4-2 lead with 9:55 remaining in the third period, the Flyers scored two goals in a 2:03 span to tie the game, then Matvei Michkov scored the overtime winner with under one minute left in overtime.
Linus Ullmark would have his worst game as a Senator by allowing in five goals on 19 shots on goal by the Flyers. Although Ullmark struggled, one player who remained hot for the Senators is Josh Norris. Against the Flyers, Norris scored a goal for the third consecutive game and added an assist. Thomas Chabot and Ridly Greig each recorded two assists as well.
As for the Hurricanes, they enter with an 11-4-0 record. Although the Hurricanes have lost two of their last three games, they have a 5-1-0 home record. Martin Necas has been spectacular this season with leading the Hurricanes in goals with nine, assists with 16 and points with 25. Outside of Necas, the Hurricanes have six other players with 10 points or more to be one of the best offensive teams in the NHL.
At 8-7-1, the Senators are already in a tight race in the Eastern Conference. Although the Hurricanes have a good home record, the Senators have won their past two road games to give themselves confidence heading into tonight. The Senators will get an extra boost of energy with David Perron returning to the lineup after missing the past 11 games.