Hurricanes at Senators
THE STORY: Jason Spezza did it all the first time the Ottawa Senators faced the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this season. The Senators would be happy to get anything at all from their star center as he leads the hosts into a Sunday evening tilt with the Hurricanes. Spezza scored in regulation and had the lone goal in the shootout as Ottawa secured a 3-2 victory over Carolina back on Oct. 25. Those were better times for Spezza, who has gone 11 games without a goal - his longest stretch since a 13-game drought at the end of the 2005-06 campaign. The Senators have struggled at Scotiabank Place of late, dropping three straight games there. A visit from Carolina may remedy that, as the Hurricanes remain one of the worst road clubs in the league. Carolina has just three victories in 11 games away from Raleigh, and is coming off back-to-back home losses to Montreal and Winnipeg.
TV: 5 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Carolina, Rogers Sportsnet Ontario
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (8-12-4): To say this is Eric Staal's worst professional start may be understating things. The five-time 30-goal scorer has found the net just four times in 24 games so far this season, and he's presently on pace for 34 points - easily his lowest total since his rookie season. Staal has enjoyed success against the Senators in his career, scoring 10 goals and adding 18 assists in 29 games. He had an assist in the Oct. 25 loss but didn't manage a shot on goal.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (10-10-2): Ottawa is coming off a roller-coaster 3-2-1 road trip, and won't have much opportunity to get comfortable in its own digs. Following Sunday's game, the Senators go right back on the road for a three-game road swing through Winnipeg, Dallas and Washington. The frequent flyer miles become far more scarce after the first week of December, as the Senators play nine of 13 games at home the rest of the month. Ottawa hasn't played at Scotiabank Place since losing 3-2 to the New York Rangers on Nov. 9.
OVERTIME:
1. The home team has prevailed in 13 of the last 16 head-to-head encounters.
2. Craig Anderson starts in goal for Ottawa. He's 3-0-2 with a 3.10 goals-against average in five career appearances against the Hurricanes.
3. Carolina starting netminder Cam Ward is 8-6-1 with a 2.65 GAA in 16 all-time meetings with Ottawa.