Senators beat Sharks 6-2 in Karlsson’s return to Ottawa

Ben Harpur scored his first NHL goal, Craig Anderson stopped 36 shots and the Senators spoiled Erik Karlsson’s return to Ottawa by beating the San Jose Sharks 6-2 on Saturday.

Karlsson, the former Senators captain, was playing his first game in Ottawa since he was traded to San Jose in the off-season. The team honoured the two-time Norris Trophy winner with a video tribute during the first period.

WATCH: Ben Harpur and Mikkel Bodker score just 49 seconds apart

Ryan Dzingel, Mark Stone, Mikkel Boedker, Magnus Paajarvi and Bobby Ryan also scored as the Senators (12-12-3) won their third straight. Boedker added three assists for a four-point outing.

READ MORE: Veteran defenceman Justin Falk signs 1-year, 2-way deal with Ottawa Senators

Joe Thornton and Barclay Goodrow scored for the Sharks (12-10-5), who extended their losing streak to a season-high four games. Martin Jones made 21 saves.

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WATCH: Sharks show off some slick passing to setup Joe Thornton

The Senators took a three-goal lead at 4-1 with Stone’s power-play goal four minutes into the third period. And Paajarvi made it 5-1, scoring into an empty net with over five minutes remaining.

READ MORE: Ottawa Senators fire back at mayor over comments as LeBreton arena dispute continues

Goodrow beat Anderson on a deflected shot in front to make it 5-2, but Ryan restored Ottawa’s four-goal cushion one minute later.

Ottawa opened the scoring as Dzingel picked up his own rebound and beat Jones from a sharp angle for his 11th of the season.

WATCH: Erik Karlsson goes for a solo lap in his return to Ottawa

San Jose tied the game with a power-play goal on a play that started with Karlsson and ended with a wide-open Thornton for an easy goal. But the Senators scored twice in a span of 49 seconds to take a 3-1 lead.

READ MORE: Henrik Lundqvist makes 29 saves, New York Rangers defeat Ottawa Senators 4-2

Harpur, playing his 60th game, wristed a shot past Jones and Boedker, a former member of the Sharks, beat the San Jose goalie through the legs.

WATCH: Karlsson happy to play in Ottawa again, but ready to move on

UP NEXT

Sharks: At Montreal on Sunday.
Senators: At Montreal on Tuesday.