Senators up from slumber

RALEIGH, N.C. — After their worst stretch of the season, the Ottawa Senators are beginning to play some of their best hockey.

We’ve calmed down a lot and guys are getting in position to make a play

Bobby Ryan and Mark Stone scored 13 seconds apart in the second period and the Senators beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 Friday night.

Magnus Paajarvi and Christian Wolanin also scored and Cody Ceci had two assists for Ottawa. The Senators have won four of five after an eight-game losing streak that dropped them into last place in the Eastern Conference.

“We’re playing a very simple game, which I think is key for a young group,” Stone said. “I think we’re doing a good job. I think early in the season guys were a little flustered maybe. We’ve calmed down a lot and guys are getting in position to make a play.”

Anders Nilsson made 33 saves to improve to 4-1 in his last five starts after going 0-10-1 in his previous 11. The improvement of Nilsson and the defense has been the catalyst behind Ottawa’s recent surge.

The Senators allowed 37 goals during their eight-game skid, an average of nearly five goals per game. They’re allowing less than two goals per game over their last five contests.

“The whole team has been playing great in front of me,” Nilsson said. “We haven’t given up a lot of odd-man rushes, almost no breakaways, no two-on-ones. When the team plays this good as they are in front of me right now, it’s a lot easier to be a goalie.”

Ryan and Stone’s goals pushed the Senators’ lead to 3-0 and they held on from there to get their first regulation win in Raleigh since Dec. 2007.

Warren Foegele scored for Carolina, which saw it’s five-game home winning streak snapped.

Petr Mrazek stopped 22 shots in place of injured starter Curtis McElhinney.

“I give them credit, they got to their game right away and we never did,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “It was an easy game for them.

“We were so bad I almost dressed and got out there. We didn’t want to play like we’re supposed to. I don’t know what I was watching. It was the first time I could say that all year.”