Ice hockey: Senators have perfect 10

Shaun Van Allen scored twice in a three-goal first period as the Ottawa Senators reached 10 home victories for the first time in their five-year history with a 6-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.

Alexei Yashin scored a goal - his 24th - and two assists, Steve Duchesne got one and one assist and Janne Laukkanen and Randy Cunneyworth set up two goals each.

"I really have been enjoying playing lately," Yashin said, "but I don't think it's just me, it's a team game and a line game and we're just all playing well right now."

The Senators improved to 5-2-3 in their last 10 games and raised their record at home to 10-14- 6. Ottawa built a commanding 5-1 lead and took a 5-2 advantage into the third period. But David Roberts and Mike Ridley scored less than three minutes apart for Vancouver in the third period to make it a one-goal game.

The Canucks piled on the pressure in the Ottawa zone, but the Senators winger Denny Lambert made a perfect breakout pass to Alexandre Daigle, who converted the breakaway for his 20th goal with 78 seconds left to seal the victory.

"This is one of the most improved teams in the NHL," the Vancouver coach, Tom Renney, said of the Senators.

In Calgary, Stephane Fiset made 38 saves, including 14 in the third period, as the Los Angeles Kings beat the Flames 3-2.