Rachel Barkley
We’re finally there: the postseason. The Carolina Hurricanes will face the Ottawa Senators at home in Raleigh, officially kicking off the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the first game on the NHL’s list.
The game is scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT.
During the regular season, the Hurricanes had one of their best seasons on record, reaching second in franchise history in both wins and points, scoring the most goals in team history, and taking the top spot in the Eastern Conference for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, the Senators battled through an immensely brutal Atlantic Division, managing to clinch their spot in the postseason just last Saturday, doing so with a win over the New York Islanders as the Detroit Red Wings lost to the New Jersey Devils.
I recently went into a deep analysis, with many comparisons and stats between both of these teams, in the Playoff Primer. You can read all about it here!
In the Crease
During the Hurricanes’ two latest practices, Frederik Andersen had the starter’s crease in both. However, after practice Friday, head coach Rod Brind’Amour was tight-lipped on who would get the game 1 start, citing that he had not yet spoken to goaltending coach Paul Schonfelder.
This season, Frederik Andersen has notched a .874 save percentage, with a goals against average of 3.05 across a 16-14-5 record. Additionally, Brandon Bussi has had a .894 save percentage and a 2.47 goals against average across a 31-6-2 record.
Meanwhile, Linus Ullmark has been the number one man in Ottawa since he was acquired in the 2024 offseason. It is all but certain that he will take the start against the Hurricanes Saturday afternoon. This season, he has managed a save percentage of .891, with a goals against average of 2.73 across a 28-12-8 record. Furthermore, James Reimer will likely serve as his backup goaltender, after having earned a .885 save percentage and a 2.42 goals against average across a 7-4-2 record.
Expected Carolina Hurricanes Lines
Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake
Nikolaj – Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook
William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson
Defense
Jaccob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere – Alexander Nikishin
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen / Brandon Bussi
Expected Ottawa Senators Lines
Drake Batherson – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux
Brady Tkachuk – Dylan Cozens – Ridly Greig
Nick Cousins – Shane Pinto – Michael Amadio
Warren Foegele – Lars Eller – Fabian Zetterlund
Defense
Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot – Jordan Spence
Dennis Gilbert – Nikolas Matinpalo
Goaltenders
Linus Ullmark / James Reimer
Special Teams
Carolina Hurricanes power play: 24.9% (4th)
Carolina Hurricanes penalty kill: 80.5% (11th)
Ottawa Senators power play: 24.0% (8th)
Ottawa Senators penalty kill: 75.7% (29th)
Hurricanes Game Notes
The Hurricanes may be able to get help from another goaltender for the postseason in Pyotr Kochetkov, who has missed most of the season after an injury requiring surgery. After a conditioning stint with the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, he was recalled and initially the choice in their 82nd game, but was ultimately held off due to a roster issue.
The Wolves are also headed for the playoffs soon, having clinched the second spot in the AHL’s Central Division.
This will be the first time since 2006 that the Hurricanes have faced a Canadian team in the postseason. Then, it was the Edmonton Oilers, whom they defeated in the Stanley Cup Finals.
How To Watch
TV: ESPN, FDSNSO, SN, OMNI, TVAS
Radio: 99.9 The Fan
