OTTAWA, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Chris Neil and Petr Schastlivy scored in the first period Thursday night as Ottawa opened defense of the Presidents' Trophy with a 5-2 win over Montreal.
Jason Spezza, defenseman Chris Phillips and Daniel Alfredsson recorded a goal and an assist apiece for the Senators, who earned an NHL-best 113 points last season but lost a seven-game series to New Jersey in the Eastern Conference finals.
After missing an open net earlier in the period, Neil put Ottawa on top for good, 2-1, with 2:18 left in the first. He tipped defenseman Wade Redden's point shot past Jose Theodore from the low slot.
Marian Hossa drew a penalty in the final minute of the period and the Senators capitalized less than six seconds before intermission as Schastlivy skated through the slot and redirected a point shot over Theodore's right shoulder.
