Hurricanes rally to edge Senators in tight contest

Carolina scores late to overcome blown lead and win at home

Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:31am

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The Carolina Hurricanes overcame a blown two-goal lead to defeat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 on Tuesday night in Raleigh. Seth Jarvis scored twice for the Hurricanes, while Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal also found the back of the net. The Senators rallied to tie the game in the third period, but Staal's late goal gave Carolina the victory.

Why it matters

The win extends the Hurricanes' points streak to nine games as they continue their push for a playoff spot. The loss is a tough one for the Senators, who were looking to build momentum with a fifth straight win.

The details

The Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second period thanks to a pair of goals from Jarvis. However, the Senators battled back, with Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson scoring power-play goals to tie the game. With 5:07 remaining, Staal scored the game-winning goal to give Carolina the victory.

  • The Hurricanes scored three goals in the second period.
  • The Senators scored two power-play goals in the third period to tie the game.
  • Jordan Staal scored the game-winning goal for the Hurricanes with 5:07 remaining in the third period.

The players

Seth Jarvis

Carolina Hurricanes forward who scored two goals in the game.

Sebastian Aho

Carolina Hurricanes forward who scored a goal and had two assists.

Jordan Staal

Carolina Hurricanes captain who scored the game-winning goal late in the third period.

Tim Stutzle

Ottawa Senators forward who scored a power-play goal to tie the game.

Jake Sanderson

Ottawa Senators defenseman who scored a power-play goal to tie the game.

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What they’re saying

“We showed a lot of fight to come back and tie it up, but ultimately couldn't get the job done. Credit to Carolina for finding a way to win it late.”

— Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators forward

“It wasn't our best effort, but we found a way to grind it out and get the two points. That's what matters most at this stage of the season.”

— Jordan Staal, Carolina Hurricanes captain

What’s next

The Hurricanes will look to continue their strong play heading into the Olympic break, while the Senators will aim to bounce back and get back on track in their pursuit of a playoff spot.

The takeaway

This game showcased the resilience of both teams, with the Hurricanes overcoming a blown lead to secure the victory and the Senators battling back to tie the game. The late heroics from Staal proved to be the difference, highlighting the importance of staying composed and capitalizing on opportunities late in close games.