Hurricanes host Senators to open NHL Playoffs

The Eastern Conference first-round series begins in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:10am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a hockey game, with players and the ice surface broken down into overlapping planes of color and abstract shapes, capturing the dynamic energy of the playoff matchup.The opening game of the Hurricanes-Senators playoff series promises a clash of contrasting styles as Carolina's defensive prowess meets Ottawa's high-octane offense.Today in Raleigh

The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Ottawa Senators in the opening game of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon. The Hurricanes went 2-1 against the Senators in the regular season, but Ottawa won the most recent matchup 6-3 on April 5.

Why it matters

This series marks the first playoff meeting between the Hurricanes and Senators. Carolina finished the regular season with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, while Ottawa secured a wild card spot. Both teams are looking to make a deep playoff run after early exits last year.

The details

The Hurricanes have been strong at home this season, going 29-10-2 at PNC Arena. They've also excelled in close games, posting a 19-4-3 record in one-goal contests. The Senators, meanwhile, have been solid on the road, going 21-15-5 away from Canadian Tire Centre. Ottawa's top scorers, Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson, will look to lead the team's offensive attack against a stingy Hurricanes defense.

  • The series opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3 p.m. EDT.
  • The Hurricanes and Senators met four times during the 2025-26 regular season, with Carolina winning two of those matchups.

The players

Carolina Hurricanes

A professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina that plays in the Metropolitan Division of the National Hockey League.

Ottawa Senators

A professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario that plays in the Atlantic Division of the National Hockey League.

Sebastian Aho

A forward for the Carolina Hurricanes who led the team in scoring during the regular season with 27 goals and 53 assists.

Tim Stutzle

A forward for the Ottawa Senators who had 34 goals and 48 assists in the regular season, leading the team in scoring.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get this series started at home. Our fans have been great all season and we know they'll bring the energy on Saturday.”

— Rod Brind'Amour, Head Coach, Carolina Hurricanes

“The Hurricanes are a tough team, but we believe we have the talent and experience to match up with them. It's going to be a hard-fought series.”

— D.J. Smith, Head Coach, Ottawa Senators

What’s next

Game 2 of the series will be played on Monday, April 20 in Raleigh. The series will then shift to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday, April 22 and Friday, April 24.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between the Hurricanes and Senators features two talented teams looking to make a deep playoff run. Carolina's strong home record and defensive play will be tested by Ottawa's high-powered offense led by Stutzle and Batherson. The series opener on Saturday should set the tone for what promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle.