Senators Aim to Upset Hurricanes in Game 1 of NHL Playoffs

Dylan Cozens looks to continue his hot streak against Carolina

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:26pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the teams' uniforms.The Senators look to disrupt the Hurricanes' recent playoff dominance in a hard-fought first-round series opener.Today in Raleigh

The Ottawa Senators are set to take on the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening game of their first-round NHL playoff series on Saturday, April 18. Despite the Hurricanes' recent postseason success, the Senators have been surging since the Olympics and are led by the impressive play of forward Dylan Cozens, who has been a key contributor down the stretch.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions, with the Hurricanes looking to continue their run of five straight first-round playoff series wins, while the Senators are aiming to pull off an upset behind the strong play of Cozens and others. The outcome of this series opener could set the tone for the rest of the hard-fought series.

The details

Cozens finished the regular season third in scoring for the Senators, registering a point in five of his last six games. He had a multi-point performance in a 6-3 win over the Hurricanes on April 5 and totaled four points in two games against them this season. Cozens' 28 shots in April were nine more than his closest teammates, showcasing his confidence and aggression heading into the playoffs.

  • The Senators-Hurricanes series opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
  • Cozens notched a multi-point game against the Hurricanes on April 5, 2026.

The players

Dylan Cozens

A 24-year-old forward for the Ottawa Senators who finished third on the team in scoring during the regular season and has been a key contributor in the team's late-season surge.

Taylor Hall

A veteran forward for the Carolina Hurricanes who has been one of the team's most productive players since the Olympic break, registering 21 points in 23 games.

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What’s next

The winner of Game 1 will look to take a commanding lead in the best-of-seven series.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between the Senators and Hurricanes features two teams heading in opposite directions, with the Senators hoping to pull off an upset behind the strong play of Dylan Cozens and the Hurricanes aiming to continue their recent postseason success.