Senators’ Eight Goals Are More Than Enough in Win

Prepared for a tight defensive struggle and Owen Nolan’s return to the San Jose Sharks, the Ottawa Senators exploded offensively.

Daniel Alfredsson tied a career-high with three goals, and had an assist to lead Ottawa to an 8-4 victory Thursday night over the Sharks at Ottawa.

The Senators matched their season-high in goals. They also scored eight against Tampa Bay on Jan. 4, falling one goal short of the team record.

“It was a lot of fun, nothing like we expected against a very good defensive team like San Jose,” Alfredsson said. “We were expecting a tough battle, fighting for our space in the offensive zone. We got off to a good start in every period, and they had to chase and open the game up.”

Nolan, the Sharks’ captain, scored twice in his first game back from an 11-game suspension for a violent hit to the head on Dallas’ Grant Marshall. He reached 20 goals for the seventh time in his career.

“I felt great,” Nolan said. “I’ve been well rested, I’ve had lots of time. I’ve just been working out and skating, trying to get ready for tonight.”

Philadelphia 2, Buffalo 0--Roman Cechmanek recorded his eighth shutout to tie the Sabres’ Dominik Hasek for the NHL lead in the Flyers’ victory at Philadelphia.

Philadelphia increased its Atlantic Division lead to three points over New Jersey. Keith Primeau and Eric Desjardins scored second-period goals, and Daymond Langkow and Mark Recchi each had two assists for the Flyers.

Toronto 3, Washington 2--Gary Roberts’ goal with 3:39 remaining in overtime gave the Maple Leafs their fourth victory in five games and ended a four-game road losing streak.

Roberts was alone when he gathered a pass from Nathan Dempsey to the left of goalie Olaf Kolzig. Roberts skated behind the net and stuffed the puck in at the left post.

Columbus 5, Nashville 2--Geoff Sanderson scored two goals and added an assist as the Blue Jackets beat the Predators at Nashville, Tenn.

Steve Heinze also added a pair of goals for the Blue Jackets, and Espen Knutsen had two assists.

Boston 3, Tampa Bay 1--Joe Thornton scored three goals to record his first career hat trick as the Bruins defeated the Lightning at Boston. Boston remained tied with Carolina in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Carolina 3, New York Islanders 1--Arturs Irbe turned aside 36 shots and the Hurricanes got goals from Rod Brind’Amour, Ron Francis and Sandis Ozolinsh in the victory at Uniondale, N.Y.

Calgary 1, Minnesota 1--Jason Wiemer scored the tying goal with 5:12 remaining in the third period to help the Flames earn a tie with the Wild at Calgary, Canada. Rookie Marian Gaborik scored his 15th goal for Minnesota.

Around the League

Scott Pellerin, Minnesota’s leading scorer, was traded to Carolina for a third-round pick in the 2001 entry draft, rights to Russian prospect Askhat Rakhmatullin and future considerations. Pellerin, an eight-year NHL veteran, has scored 39 points on 11 goals and 28 assists in 58 games this season. . . . Wing Eric Lacroix was acquired by Ottawa from the New York Rangers for forward Colin Forbes.