Captain Eric Staal finished with a hat trick and a pair of assists and the Carolina Hurricanes scored four first-period goals en route to a 7-1 victory over the visiting Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

Chad LaRose scored a pair of goals and assisted on another, while Tim Gleason had a goal and an assist to help Carolina snap a two-game skid. Tuomo Ruutu had a goal and Jussi Jokinen recorded two assists.

The Hurricanes wasted little time taking a lead as Gleason tallied just 4:25 into the first. Staal followed with back-to-back power-play goals before LaRose made it 4-0 before the first intermission. All the damage came on 16 shots against Brian Elliott, who was pulled after the period.

LaRose gave the Hurricanes a 5-1 lead 1:26 into the third, with helpers going to Jamie McBain and Staal, who then completed his hat trick moments later. Staal now has seven points over his past two games.

Carolina goalie Cam Ward allowed one goal on 23 shots, surrendering just a power-play tally to captain Daniel Alfredsson midway through the third.

Pascal LeClaire replaced Elliott in goal and didn’t fare much better, allowing three goals on 12 shots.