(Raleigh) Defensemen Brady Skjei and Jaccob Slavin scored in the third period and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Ottawa Senators 5-3 on Wednesday in their home opener.
It was the first match of the season for both teams.
Skjei scored shortly after an opponent’s turnover in his territory. He fired on reception on a pass from Jesper Fast, beating Joonas Korpisalo.
The goal gave the Hurricanes the lead in the third with 7:51 remaining.
Slavin added to the lead in the following minutes with a short-handed goal.
Slavin put the puck over Korpisalo’s shoulder at 11:05 to make it 5-3.
The Senators want to make the playoffs for the first time since losing in the Eastern final in 2017.
Michael Bunting scored his first goal in his first game with the Hurricanes, while Teuvo Teravainen and Jordan Staal also scored a goal.
Frederik Andersen stopped 27 shots in the victory.
Mathieu Joseph scored in the first period for the Senators, while Parker Kelly and Tim Stutzle scored the team’s other two goals.
Korpisalo finished the game with 37 saves.