NHL: Carolina 4, Ottawa 3

RALEIGH, N.C., March 22 (UPI) -- Chad LaRose scored twice Tuesday, rallying Carolina to a 4-3 win over Ottawa that kept the Hurricanes' playoff hopes alive.

Tuomo Ruutu and LaRose scored 25 seconds apart late in the first period, wiping out a 2-0 Ottawa advantage, and LaRose netted the go-ahead tally with less than 2 minutes left in the middle frame.

Cory Stillman also scored for Carolina, which remained three points behind the Buffalo Sabres for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with nine games remaining.

Cam Ward turned aside 36-of-39 shots as the Hurricanes improved to 3-4-1 in their last eight contests.

The Senators got goals from Marek Svatos, Colin Greening and Erik Karlsson while Curtis McElhinney yielded four goals on 24 shots.