Staal leads Carolina past Capitals
<p>Ottawa Senators' Milan Michalek (9) and New York Islanders' Milan Jurcina (27) vie for the puck around the net in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Uniondale, N.Y. The Senators shut out the Islanders, 6-0. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)</p>
RALEIGH, N.C. - Eric Staal had two goals and an assist, Justin Peters cruised to his first NHL shutout, and the Carolina Hurricanes routed the reeling Washington Capitals 5-0 on Monday night.
Justin Faulk and Anthony Stewart scored in an 88-second span and Andreas Nodl added a goal during Carolina's three-goal first period.
Peters needed to make just 17 saves to win his second straight start. He replaced Cam Ward, who was out with an undisclosed lower body injury.
Senators 6, Islanders 0: At Uniondale, N.Y., Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza scored twice, Craig Anderson made 28 saves and Ottawa beat the New York Islanders for its third straight win.
The Senators (31-22-8) moved within two points of first-place Boston in the Northeast Division and one point behind Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
By The Associated Press
Eric Staal had two goals and an assist, Justin Peters cruised to his first NHL shutout, and the Carolina Hurricanes routed the reeling Washington Capitals 5-0 on Monday night in Raleigh, N.C.
Justin Faulk and Anthony Stewart scored in an 88-second span and Andreas Nodl added a goal during Carolina's three-goal first period.Peters needed to make just 17 saves to win his second straight start. He replaced Cam Ward, who was out with an undisclosed lower body injury.
Senators 6, Islanders 0: At Uniondale, N.Y., Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza scored twice, Craig Anderson made 28 saves and Ottawa beat the New York Islanders.